Cornwall Council’s public health team and Public Health England has responded to Stithians Primary School's closure following a number of confirmed cases of COVID-19.

As a precaution the school has taken the decision to close until Monday, October 4, with all students moving to a high-quality online learning platform until then.

Rachel Wigglesworth, Director of Public Health for Cornwall Council said: "The school has taken the difficult decision to close temporarily to ensure the safety of staff, pupils and families.

"We appreciate this may cause childcare issues with children being at home unexpectedly, but this decision has not been taken lightly.

"The school reacted quickly and responsibly to the confirmed cases and implemented a robust COVID action plan.

"Our teams will continue to work with them to provide advice and guidance and support.

"You or your child need only book a test if you develop one of the three main COVID symptoms: a new continuous cough - that is a cough that lasts for more than an hour, or three coughing sessions in 24 hours - a high temperature (this does not need to be measured but feeling hot on the chest or back) or a change to or loss of taste or smell."

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In a statement on its website, Stithians Primary School said: "Following an increased number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in our school and in careful consideration with Public Health England and Cornwall Council, we have taken the decision to close the school for ten days and moving to online learning.

"This will mean that home learning will begin from tomorrow (Wednesday 22nd) via Teams.

"The school will then reopen on Monday, October 4 to all students who are not displaying symptoms.

"You can book a test online on the gov.uk website, or if you don’t have access to the internet, please call 119."

Headteacher at Stithians, Nick Illsley, said: "This was an incredibly hard decision to make but the current rates of transmission mean it is the only way to reduce the spread throughout the school while continuing to deliver consistent learning.

"We have followed the Covid 19 outbreak management plan and, based on the health and safety and safeguarding requirements needed for our school, closure for a limited period is the only option left to us."