A TEACHER at an Oldham secondary school has teacher tested positive for Covid-19, prompting its head to send out a letter reassuring parents The letter has been sent out by the headteacher of Royton and Crompton Academy Andrea Atkinson explaining that a member of staff had the virus.

She said that the teacher had based in a Year 7 bubble and "therefore had no contact with students in other year groups".

Year 7 pupils are children aged 11 to 12 years and would have started secondary school after leaving primary school.

Mrs Atkinson wrote: "We have since been working with Public Health England who have advised us that as robust safety measures are in place at the academy, including the arrangement of students and staff into bubbles to limit contact between individuals, the academy can remain open to all."

She goes on: "Please rest assured that we are taking every precaution to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our students and staff, including regular focusing on cleaning of the academy, social distancing and ensuring good hand respiratory hygiene."

Students and members of their households also have access to testing if symptoms are displayed, she said.

She added: "I understand that upon hearing such news that some parents and carers may naturally be feeling concerned."

An academy spokesperson told The Oldham Times: "The academy has been made aware that a member of staff has unfortunately tested positive for Covid-19, and is now self-isolating for a period of 10 days. We wish our colleague a swift recovery, and we remain open to all other students and staff.

"We have since been working closely with Public Health England who are satisfied that as robust safety measures are in place at the academy, including social distancing and the arrangement of students and staff into bubbles to limit contact between individuals, no further action is required at this moment in time.

"The health and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our number one priority, and we continue to take every precaution here at the academy to ensure their safety and wellbeing.”