St Martin’s sixth formers told to self-isolate

Sixth form pupils at St Martin’s Comprehensive School in Caerphilly have been told to self-isolate after a positive case of coronavirus at the school.

In a letter to parents, the school’s headteacher, Lee Jarvis, confirmed the school was aware of a Year 13 pupil who had tested positive for Covid-19.

Mr Jarvis said Year 12 and Year 13 pupils would need to self-isolate for 14 days as a “precautionary measure”.

It comes following a recent spike in the number of reported cases of coronavirus in Caerphilly County Borough, which was placed under a local lockdown on Tuesday (September 8).

In the letter, Mr Jarvis said: “Work will be provided via Google Classroom during this period of time and codes for classrooms will be issued shortly.

“If any child has symptoms we advise them to get tested.”

Mr Jarvis also said the school has been working with contact tracers and Caerphilly County Borough Council’s environmental health department “to ensure all appropriate measures are in place to protect pupils, staff and the wider community”.

The school will remain open, with pupils outside of Years 12 and 13 not required to self-isolate, unless they develop symptoms of coronavirus.

On Monday (September 7), Year 12 pupils at Bedwas High School were told to self-isolate after a pupil tested positive for the virus.

Positive cases of Covid-19 have also been reported at Bedwas Infant School and Bedwas Junior School, as well as St Gwladys primary in Bargoed, Llanfabon Infants in Nelson and Hendre Junior School in Trecenydd. All schools remain open.