STUDENTS in a year group at an Accrington high school have been told they should not attend school yesterday, due to a pupil testing positive for coronavirus.

Steve Campbell, headteacher of The Hollins in Accrington, posted the news on social media about the Year 10s on Wednesday night saying they would not been able to attend school on Thursday.

Speaking the Lancashire Telegraph he said: "We have been one of a few schools who have had a very prompt response from Public Health England and have been given clear guidance,

"We have been able to identify the boy tested and the 15 pupils with him will have to self-isolate for 14 days until September 28, while the rest of the year group will be able to return to school."

It comes as Mount Carmel High School announced on social media on Tuesday that a Year 8 pupil tested positive for the virus and all pupils in the age-group had to stay at home on Wednesday.

A statement on Wednesday afternoon said: “All Year 8 pupils except those who have been contacted to say otherwise should return to school tomorrow (Thursday 17 September) as normal.”

Also earlier this week, St Wilfrid’s CE Academy asked a group of Year 12 pupils to isolate for 14 days after a positive coronavirus test.

The school has sent letters to parents whose child has been in ‘close contact’ with the confirmed case, asking the students to self-isolate until 24th September.

It takes the number of educational institutions affected by positive coronavirus tests to 16 across East Lancashire.

Meanwhile, Blackburn Central High School are expecting to have Year 7, 9, and 10 students returning to school on Tuesday 22nd September.The Lancashire Telegraph has reported that among those so far affected include: Witton Park Academy, Unity College, Accrington Academy, QEGS, Pleckgate School, Valley Leadership Academy formerly Fearns, Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar, Barnoldswick Coates Lane, St Anne’s and St Joseph’s School in Accrington and St. Christopher’s C.E High School in Accrington and St Albans Primary School from Blackburn and Blackburn College.

n Do you know any other schools affected then email robert.kelly@nqnw.co.uk.