A primary school has closed to all staff and pupils for two weeks after the head teacher tested positive for coronavirus.

Parents with children in Hawkhurst CEP School received a message home last night confirming the school will be closed until November 30.

This comes just days after 64 pupils were sent home from the school in Rye Road after a positive case was identified in a Year 3 bubble.

In the message home, head teacher Jodi Hacker said: "Unfortunately, following a confirmed case of Covid in a pupil yesterday, myself and Mrs Clayson have today (Tuesday) also tested positive.

"We have therefore taken advice from Public Health England (PHE) and will be closing the school suggesting all staff and pupils now isolate.

"I am so sorry for the anxiety and problems this may cause you, but we have to put the safety of the school community before anything else.

"Home learning will be sent out to everyone tomorrow (Wednesday)."

Today it has also been confirmed eight pupils from Valley Park School in Maidstone have tested positive.

Valley Invicta Academies Trust (VIAT) which runs the school in Huntsman lane says the pupils were from Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13.

In a statement the trust said: "The first positive test results were received on Friday, November 13, with three other positive cases being identified over the weekend and on Monday morning, two cases identified yesterday and one more confirmed today (Wednesday).

"Until yesterday, there were no links identified between the students who have tested positive, but there have now been three positive cases identified in Year 10.

"On this basis, yesterday, we made the difficult decision to ask all Year 10 students to stay at home for a period of 14 days.

"In terms of the other year groups, the students who have tested positive as well as a number of other students in their classes, will now self-isolate, following advice from PHE.

"Since all students returned to school in September, the trust’s risk assessment, which is based on government and PHE guidelines, has been strictly adhered to.

"Students and staff are required to wear face coverings in all corridors and communal areas; students are expected to mix only with students who are in their own ‘bubble’ in order to minimise the number of individuals with whom they come into contact on a daily basis.

"The wellbeing, health and safety of our students and our staff is our absolute priority and we will continue to do everything possible to protect and support them during these challenging times."

Online lessons will be made available to all pupils affected.

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