A year group at a secondary school in Amesbury has been sent home to self-isolate after two pupils tested positive for Covid.

A total of 192 children in Year 8 have been asked to leave school today (March 12) after lateral flow tests at The Stonehenge School picked up two positive cases.

The news comes just days after schools in England reopened to all pupils.

Headteacher Nigel Roper said: "We've been testing since Monday and the tests have been conducted on all year groups and today we uncovered two positive tests.

"It is the first time positive cases have been detected through the lateral flow tests."

With the introduction of rapid tests, which pick up asymptomatic cases, it was hoped that only those who test positive and their close contacts would be asked to self-isolate.

However, in this case, the entire bubble had to be sent home.

"It depends on the risk assessment, how long the children have been in school and a number of other factors," Mr Roper explained.

"What always happens is, we telephone Public Health England which is what we did, we explained the circumstances and the evidence and they advised after consideration of the risk assessment that the entire year bubble should self-isolate."

For Mr Roper, who welcomed the return of all children, today's events show the effectiveness of lateral flow tests.

"It provides evidence that the lateral flow tests are successful in picking up asymptomatic positive cases and that must be reassuring," he said.

"It is frustrating to send any bubble home but at least it is reassuring to know that the measures we have in place are keeping people safe."

Pupils in Year 8 will now have to continue their learning from home for the next 10 days.

For staff and all the other children in school it's "business as usual".

As part of the Government's plan to send all students back, secondary schools and colleges were instructed to test all pupils three times during the first week.

From next week testing kits will be sent directly to the their homes so children can take a test before coming into school.

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