Ninety schoolchildren and four teachers are self-isolating after a pupil tested positive for coronavirus.

The whole of Hampton Primary’s Year 2 cohort will not be returning to class for the next fortnight after a child in the age group was diagnosed with the illness.

This is the first confirmed case of the virus at the Herne Bay primary school since the beginning of the pandemic.

Head teacher Yvonne Nunn says the result of the test was shared with her on Tuesday afternoon, after the child displayed symptoms over the weekend.

“We were made aware yesterday at about 2.45pm,” Ms Nunn said. “We sent the notification out to parents almost as soon as we had the result to hand.

“We know the child was symptomatic on Saturday or Sunday and from the advice we’ve received, we know they’re most infectious two days before showing signs.

“The parent isn’t aware of how the child contracted it – it could have come from anywhere.

“All of the children in that bubble could have come into contact with that pupil on the Thursday or Friday.”

Four teachers are also isolating in the wake of the result. But Ms Nunn stresses that no one else has shown any symptoms.

This means that staff and pupils from the Year 2 bubble will return to school on Monday, November 2, after the end of half term.

“We followed the procedures of Public Health England and the Department for Education,” Ms Nunn continued.

“It’s very difficult in a primary school – but we’re doing all of the things we can to minimise the risk.

“No school wants to be sharing this message with their community, but we are operating in a pandemic and the reality is it will impact some schools.”

Ms Nunn also insists that remote learning materials will be provided to the children while they are out of class.

She added: “We’re operating in 90-children bubbles, have staggered start times and lunchtimes, and enhanced cleaning arrangements to make it a safe environment.

“The parents and community have been so supportive of all the new expectations we have placed on them since September.

"Like in all schools, the staff are also working incredibly hard to keep everyone safe."

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