HEALTH bosses in Wiltshire are confident that starting lessons again at St Augustine's was not the cause of the positive test a child at the school took over the weekend.

Year 9 pupils at St Augustine’s Catholic College, Trowbridge, around 160 pupils, have now been asked to self-isolate for 14 days after one pupil in the year group tested positive for coronavirus.

And four teaching and non-teaching staff have also tested positive for Covid-19 - however these staff have limited contact with pupils. who have all only been back in school for one day.

Today the director of public health for Wiltshire, Kate Blackburn, said that there was no concern from health official that the cases spread at the school.

This was echoed by Mike Wade, deputy director for health protection at Public Health England South West, who said that there was no evidence of 'any transmission events' during term time.

"We're confident that we understand the transmission routes and the links between the cases but it is important to stress the message that no event has occurred during term time and the opening period," said Mr Wade.

He added that the whole year group has been asked to self-isolate because they form bubbles 'to minimise spread across the wider school'.

Kate Blackburn added: "In this instance we have taken a very precautionary approach. In terms of this particular year group, as a bubble, break times and lunch times happen as a bubble.

"Because we couldn't be absolutely sure that this positive case had not been in contact with other people within that bubble we have advised and worked with the school to minimise any residual risk.

"It's much better to make the decisive decision to send the Year 9 home now to self-isolate."

Helean Hughes, director education and skills said that St Augustine's will continue to keep parents regularly updated.

St Augustine's confirmed that during the period of self-isolation, affected pupils will receive home schooling.