Milton Keynes school with nearly 1,000 students self-isolating makes decision to close in bid to 'keep community safe'

Shenley Brook End School sent an email out to parents over the weekend (December 12-13) telling Year 7 to 9 to work from home and Year 10 to 13 to continue working from home this week (December 13-18), as they were already self-isolating due to Covid infections in their bubbles.

Headteacher Chris Holmwood said there is 'great disruption' at the school due to the number of staff members having to isolate.

It goes on to say the weekend has been an 'especially fast-changing and challenging one' due to the track and trace measures in place, which is used to confirm positive cases within the school.

Mr Holmwood said in the email: "Thank you to the many parents who have expressed their view by email about how they feel the school should respond to the current situation. I am sorry I have not been able to reply to these individually, but please treat this email as my reply to your concerns.

"This decision is very much about keeping our wider community safe."

According to Milton Keynes Council, the school, as of Friday (December 11), had 13 pupils and three staff members with the coronavirus, which left 998 pupils self-isolating.

Click here to see a list of school's affected by Covid-19.