Every school in Derbyshire with a confirmed case of coronavirus ahead of new lockdown laws

Yesterday, a ‘small number’ of pupils were asked to isolate after a positive case of the virus at Clowne Junior School.

It has not been confirmed if it was a pupil or staff member who tested positive.

On Tuesday, a confirmed case was announced ;within the school community' at Buxton Community School with all Year 11 pupils asked to remain at home until September 29.

Last Thursday, Year 5 pupils at Newbold CofE Primary School in Chesterfield were sent home over coronavirus fears, but a positive case was never confirmed by the school.

One parent wrote on Facebook: “The whole school should be shut down as like my daughter who’s in Year 5 where the COVID has been diagnosed has a sibling in year two and also in reception.”

The following day a case was confirmed at Croft Infant School in Alfreton with a 'small number’ of children told to stay at home for 14 says as a result.

Last week, Heanor Gate Science College confirmed that a Year 10 pupil had tested positive for Covid-19 and sent home to isolate.

Just hours later, Howitt Community School, also in Heanor, confirmed a Year 6 pupil had tested positive.

A number of children in the same bubble were also sent home.

A child at Mundy Junior School, also in Heanor, tested positive for the virus but had not been in school for a week.

Derbyshire County Council said it did not have an exact number of schools which have either closed or sent pupils home as a result of Covid-19 infections.

A spokesperson said: “Under the national guidelines, schools are not required to notify us if they have positive cases and are only required to notify Public Health England in the first instance. It is the responsibility of PHE to provide initial advice to the school, not the local authority.

"We don’t have the numbers of schools currently either closed or that have sent classes home. With more than 450 schools across Derbyshire, many of which are academies or independent schools, the situation is constantly changing.”

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a print subscription. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Please subscribe here https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/ so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.