Year 11 Covid-19 case at Bishop Fox's School, Taunton

Acting head teacher Nic Blunsum has written to parents and carers of Year 11 pupils telling them to keep their children home for a fortnight.

In his letter, Mr Blunsum says the case is not believed to be linked to another confirmed case which led to Year 7 pupils being sent home last week to self isolate.

He said: "We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a single confirmed case of Covid-19 within the Year 11 group at the school.

"This case is not believed to be linked to the Year 7 confirmed case that we notified parents about on Friday 11th September."

He added: "We have followed the national guidance and have identified that your child may have been in close contact with the affected child.

"In line with the national guidance we recommend that your child now stay at home and self-isolate until and including 25.09.20 (14 days after contact).

"Their first day back in school will be Monday 28th September.

"The advice to self-isolate applies to all students in Year 11 that attend Bishop Fox’s School.

"I fully appreciate the magnitude of this decision but the school is acting upon the advice of Public Health England.

"We are asking you to do this to reduce the further spread of COVID 19 to others in the community."

Children will be able to return to school if they are well at the end of the self isolation period.

Other members of their household can continue normal activities provided their child does not develop symptoms within the 14 day self-isolation period.

The school is being deep cleaned today, as it was at the weekend following the Year 7 case.

Mr Blunsum has also written to parents and carers of the other year groups to inform them that safety measures are in place at the school.

Year 6 students at Parkfield Primary School in the county town are also currently self isolating after a confirmed case of Covid-19 there.

READ MORE: Year 7 pupils at Bishop Fox's self isolating