An academy has sent an entire year group home after it was struck with multiple Covid-19 cases.

Greenacre Academy, in Walderslade Road, asked its 6th form students to self-isolate for 14 days after previously telling Year 8 and 9 to work from home due to staffing problems.

A class from its Year 10 bubble are also in isolation after a pupil tested positive for the virus last week. They are due back on November 27.

It also confirmed yesterday that a staff member from its PGW 6th form team and a member of the school's Skills for Life Trust tested positive for the virus.

It had previously asked Year 8 to work from home until Friday this week and Year 9 pupils to learn remotely until next Monday to help with the ever-growing number of staff members unable to work.

In a letter to parents, head teacher, Shelly Bridger, said: "Recent times have not been easy, with two confirmed cases and currently a year group working remotely.

"Coupled with this, staffing has been severely impacted by self-isolation due to being in the 'Extremely Clinically Vulnerable' category, and as a result of track and trace now many staff are finding it impossible to source childcare, as their own young children are being asked to stay away from their schools.

"Clearly schools across the county are struggling to keep going on a full capacity."

"Clearly schools across the county are struggling to keep going on a full capacity.

"Reluctantly, I have had to move to a further phase of partial closure as we have reached the point where I have no choice but to place another year group on remote learning from home.

"I need to balance the health and safety of all students and now do not have enough staff to safely manage the school. Ensuring adequate staff are in school is part of that.

"The staffing situation has become so severe, that I need to take immediate action."

The school remains open to Year 7, 10 and 11.

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