FOLLOWING advice from Wiltshire Council’s Public Health Team, Melksham Oak Community School has temporarily closed year 11 to 224 students after a student in the year group tested positive for COVID-19.
All close contacts of the confirmed case have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days from initial contact until 22nd October, and the school has already arranged for all year 11 students to continue their learning at home during this time.
Since reopening in September, the school has been working closely with Wiltshire Council and with The White Horse Federation, of which the school is a member, to ensure high standards of hygiene and social distancing are maintained and all the necessary measures are in place. The self-isolation of students is being taken as a precautionary measure to minimise any risk to other members of the school community.
Alan Henderson, Principal at the school, said: “The safety of our school community is of primary importance at Melksham Oak, and we have therefore taken the precaution of closing for year 11 for the remainder of the term which ends on 22nd October. We have written to parents, carers, and staff to fully explain the situation, and we are very grateful for their understanding and continued cooperation.”
“We are working with Wiltshire Council’s Public Health Team so that this is managed closely, and we look forward to welcoming all our students back after the half term break.”
Kate Blackburn, Director of Public Health for Wiltshire, said: “This precautionary action is very important so we can keep the risk of any transmission within the school community as low as possible. We will continue to support the school so their high standard of COVID-19 measures are maintained.”
“It is a legal requirement that anyone asked to self-isolate should follow the government information on this and stay at home. If they don’t have symptoms they do not need to get a test. However, if a member of their household has symptoms and takes a test then they should self-isolate.”
“We ask that people regularly wash hands, maintain social distancing and wear face coverings where appropriate – this is the best way to keep you and everyone safe as much as possible.”
