A SCHOOL has reported that a number of their pupils have tested positive for Covid-19.

Sedbergh School announced yesterday that a 'significant' number of pupils received a positive result, after the school conducted mass-testing of Sedgwick House.

In a letter headmaster Daniel Harrison said: "Despite largely asymptomatic pupils, the tests provided a significant number of positive returns."

Mr Harrison then went on to say: "We have discussed this with our school medical staff and representatives from the National Institute for Health Protection (NIHP), formerly Public Health England, and have taken the decision to ask the boys of Sedgwick House to return home wherever possible.

"Pupils who have not been able to travel home are isolating and are being looked after in school."

It has been recommended that they now test the whole school population and arrange for those who return a positive result, or those who have been in close contact with them, to be isolated from the remainder of the school.

Mr Harrison said the school have arranged testing for all pupils and staff to be carried out early next week and details of this will be published tomorrow.

"We anticipate that this will lead to more pupils returning home towards the end of next week," wrote Mr Harrison.

"Either due to them being positive or due to them being in a social 'bubble'."

Online teaching has been ongoing for pupils currently at home and the headmaster assured that this would continue.

"We know this will be unwelcome news at this stage of term," said Mr Harrison.

"But I am sure you will understand the rationale for our actions.

"As always the education and pastoral provision for your sons and daughters will remain our highest priority and we are doing all that we can to keep morale high in this very special community at this unfortunate time."