TWO Chippenham schools have become the first in the county to close their doors to all pupils because of the Coronavirus crisis.

Both schools have understood to have been hit by staff issues, as have others across the county which have closed to some year groups only.Both said today they would not be re-opening from this afternoon until after the Easter holidays.

Wiltshire Council has said that unless told to do so by Public Health England, no school should close in response to suspected or confirmed Covid-19 case.

However, St Nicholas in Chippenham announced today (Wednesday) that it will shut its doors for at least two weeks.

The school, which specialises in children with learning difficulties announced that both the school and its associated college would be closed until after the Easter holidays.

In a letter to parents, head teacher Rosalyn Way said: “Due to individual, personal circumstances amongst staff, we are having to make the difficult decision to close the school and college.”

Sheldon School announced its closure in an online statement, while later this afternoon Abbeyfield School on the other side of town announced two of its year groups were being asked to stay at home from tomorrow.

Melksham Oak Community school has also told its year nine and ten pupils not to attend school.

They sent pupils from both years home due to a shortage of staff as more people begin to self-isolate due to Coronavirus.

St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon is also closed to year 8 and 9 pupils.

Wiltshire Council said: “We are advising our schools to monitor the latest national guidance and we are also proactively providing regular support and updates when needed.”