Students isolating after Covid outbreak

Nine pupils at a boarding school have been forced to isolate following a Covid outbreak.

The students at Malvern College were moved into a spare boarding house to isolate last week after several students tested positive for Covid-19.

International students have been advised by Public Health England (PHE) to consider isolating until their half term flights to reduce the risk of their travel being disrupted with the school saying they should isolate for at least 48 hours before their fit-to-fly Covid test.

PHE said lessons for students in the ‘lower sixth’ year group, where most of the cases have been found, should move online before half term with school returning to normal after the break.

A-level students at the school in College Road in Malvern, who will be entering their final week of assessments, have been told to go on study leave and will only need to attend exams.

Lessons for most of the students at the school have continued as normal despite the outbreak.

In a letter to parents, headmaster Keith Metcalfe said: “The outbreak is disappointing for us all, especially for the pupils, and given that the UK has only just lifted many of its restrictions, but it serves as a reminder of just how persistent this virus can be. I am very pleased that our various tests and precautionary measures have worked so well, and, that we have the facilities available for managing the situation.

“I have been in regular contact with heads in other boarding schools across the UK, a number of whom have had similar small outbreaks of Covid within their school communities.

“Whilst there is obvious concern, they like us, have seen very few pupils with symptoms or feeling unwell, and with appropriate isolation programmes and frequent testing, have quickly returned to their full timetable. We are fortunate to be in the position that half term offers a clear break, after which we expect school to return as normal.”

A parent who wished to remain anonymous said the school handled the outbreak “very well” and had kept parents fully informed.