Rising tide of Covid cases closes Upper Norwood autism and disability school – with 39 cases and two pupils in hospital

A surge in cases of pupils and staff going down with Covid-19 has closed a school.

Parents and pupils at Priory School in Hermitage Road, Upper Norwood were told on Friday it had at least 39 cases in the past week and two students are in hospital.

Slightly more than a third of teachers are able to work, due to the “incredible spread of the infection ”

So key workers will not be able to leave their children at the community special school – thus hampering other crucial services nearby.

Classes will not be held at all this week – though headteacher Julie Evans hopes it will reopen next Monday, March 21.

Ms Evans wrote in a letter circulated to parents of the 137 pupils – half of whom are eligible for free school meals: “Following my message earlier this week, the COVID situation at the school has continued to deteriorate. We now have 39 known cases in the past week and we have two students in hospital.

“The infection is spreading rapidly amongst both staff and students, we are also seeing those infected being fairly unwell rather than with mild symptoms that we have seen previously.

“Public Health England believe this may be due to waning immunity, particularly among the staff team who had early initial vaccinations and therefore boosters were mostly 5-6 months ago.

“Public Health England have advised that the school be closed completely next week with a view to reopening on Monday March 21. The education department within the local authority have authorised this decision.

“At the beginning of next week it will be very difficult for us to provide any remote or online learning. At the moment I only have seven out of 18 teachers well enough to work.

“We will also not be offering any places to keyworker children as the closure is being driven by the incredible spread of the infection and full closure is the only way for us to attempt to get on top of it.

“As in previous times that we have been forced in this direction, we understand the very significant pressure this places on all families and young people with a sudden change of routine and needing to balance child and work responsibilities.

“All measures introduced earlier in the week including all staff wearing masks, eating in class again, no indoor group activities etc. have had no impact on the continued spread.

“We will be in touch next week with further information.”

One parent, who did not want to be named, said: “It is a really nice school and they are doing the right thing as there are a lot of children with underlying conditions.

“There will be a lot of parents who will have difficulties because if pupils have to stay home it can become challenging.”