Two entire year groups at a Droylsden school are self-isolating and working from home this week due to a "particularly high number" of Covid-19 cases. 

Droylsden Academy issued a letter to parents last Friday (25 June) saying they had taken the "difficult decision for health and safety and educational reasons" to ask students in Years 7 and 10 to work at home from Monday (28 June) until and including Friday (2 July). 

Head teacher Philip Wilson said it had become "increasingly difficult for the academy to deliver a high quality blend of in-class and remote provision" as a result of "growing number of positive cases and the large numbers of students who are self-isolating in these year groups". 

He added that the action taken ensures the Manor Road school is "able to offer a very high quality remote education and care offer to our students", with 'live lessons' still taking place via Google Classroom.

Mr Wilson also said the decision was made given the rising case numbers driven by the more transmissible Delta variant, which first originated in India, and following extensive consultation with Tameside Council and local public health chiefs. 

He wrote: "The data suggests that most of this transmission has occurred in the community rather than in school but we cannot rule out the possibility that there is some in school transmission and, as we have done throughout this pandemic, we take our responsibilities in relation to reducing the spread of the virus very seriously. 

"I understand that, particularly for Year 7 and 10 students and parents, this is very disappointing news. I fully understand the additional pressure that this places on families but I believe that once again we will demonstrate our commitment and fortitude in making these arrangements work and doing our bit in reducing the spread of Covid-19."

The school says it has also put in additional measures to reduce Covid-19 cases for pupils who are still in school and is still offering support to those at home, including pastoral care and free school meals for those who are eligible. 

Nationally, there has been a sharp rise in the number of pupils being sent home from schools across England because of Covid, according to official figures. 

Absences have quadrupled during June, with figures showing that more than 375,000 pupils - about one in 20 - were out of school for Covid-related reasons, up by more than 130,000 in the last week. 

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