The county's largest school has sent home hundreds of pupils after a positive Covid-19 test.

A Year 7 pupil at Homewood School in Tenterden was confirmed as positive this week, prompting the whole year group to study from home.

It is believed to have impacted about 400 children.

An email has been distributed to parents, alerting them to the move and asking that all Year 7 pupils self-isolate. This warning comes only two days before the two-week half term.

All other year groups are unaffected, and the school remains open for them.

Principal Jeremy Single said: “Unfortunately, we have had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Year 7.

"My colleagues and I followed Public Health England (PHE) guidance and as a result students in Year 7 will be self-isolating at home until after half-term.

"We are sending work home to those students, and staff are supporting them with their learning remotely.

"We have also reminded families to follow the latest Government guidance during this period of self-isolation.

“The rest of the school remains open with staff and students continuing to follow PHE guidance in terms of social distancing, handwashing and cleaning to minimise the spread of the virus and ensure we can all continue to learn and work in a safe environment.

“I would like to thank our staff, parents and carers and of course our students for their support and understanding at this time.”

Early on in the pandemic, Homewood School pupils were asked to remain away from school upon their return from a trip to Italy.

The school also banned Year 11 and Year 13 students from attending school on their last day over fears of rule-flouting.

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