Padiham school closes after teacher diagnosed with COVID-19

The Burnley Road school is closed today for a deep clean. All families with children at the site were notified yesterday and advised to isolate for 14 days as a precaution, while staff who were in school last week or this week are getting tested for the virus.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council confirmed the school will reopen on Monday.

In a statement on the school's website posted yesterday (Thursday), headteacher Mrs Ruth England, said: "I just wanted to update you on some action we have taken today at the school site in relation to the coronavirus. One of the teachers who was on our site last week with Burnley High School has tested positive for the virus this week. I was informed first thing this morning. As a result of this news we have contacted all families who have had children on site this week and last and advised them to isolate their children for 14 days as a precaution. We will be offering resumed provision for these children from Thursday, May 28th.

"Any of our staff who were in school last week or this week are getting tested today or tomorrow. The school building is being deep cleaned tomorrow and will be safe to use after that time, so no-one will be on site tomorrow. Once the building has been cleaned and we have our test results we will open the site up again. I will let you know as soon as we do this. We are being ultra-cautious as we want to minimise the risk to everyone in our community. I am really sorry for any issues this causes key worker families and others. Please note we are still open in terms of all other support; phone, email, welfare contact - nothing has changed. We will also be able to send out more equipment and work packs as soon as we reopen the site next week."

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Shuttleworth College has played a heroic role in supporting NHS key workers by creating Personal Protective Equipment. The school had already donated its own personal protective equipment to Burnley General Hospital and Oakmount House Residential Care Home. However, staff and pupils wanted to do more to help those on the frontline. Last month, they set up a fundraising page to support healthcare workers, which has almost raised an impressive £5,000. Anyone wishing to support this cause can do so by clicking here