A specialist school in Maidstone has announced it will close for two weeks because of Covid-19.

From today, pupils from Bower Grove School in Fant Lane have been asked to learn from home until November 30.

This comes just days after head teacher Mrs Salter announced three members of teaching staff, and two members of support staff tested positive for the virus.

On Wednesday, November 11 some 12 pupils in one Year 9 class, and two members of staff who worked closely with them, were asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

As well as this, 12 pupils in a Year 4 class, 10 pupils in a mixed Key Stage 2 class, and six pupils in an Enrichment Provision for Key Stages 3 and 4 were also told to remain at home for up to five days until sufficient staff returned to school.

But now the advice has changed further and the whole school has been sent home for two weeks.

In a statement online Mrs Salter said: "Regrettably Bower Grove school will be closed from November 16 to 30.

"This decision has been made in conjunction with the school governing body and guidance from PHE.

"Our priority is to protect staff and pupils from any further spread of Covid infection following some cases within the school staff team.

"A programme of home learning is in place for all pupils. Thank you for your understanding at this difficult time."

Another to fall victim to coronavirus is Valley Park School in Huntsman Lane, Maidstone which confirmed its first positive case over the weekend .

Parents whose children had close contact with the person carrying the virus - believed to be a pupil - were contacted and told to self isolate until November 28.

The Cornwallis Academy is also closed to all students today while a deep clean is carried out after a third pupil tested positive for coronavirus.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone