Downland School, on the outskirts of Devizes, recently took precautionary measures after one of their pupils and two staff members tested positive for COVID-19.

A single Year 7 pupil was tested positive, and the school agreed to take additional steps with advice from the Wiltshire Public Health Team and close the school.

The school was re-opened on November 30, Wiltshire Council confirmed today (December 1)

A total of 34 pupils and 18 teachers self-isolated during the closure. Whilst the school was closed all of the pupils accessed remote learning to continue their learning at home.

Georgina Keily-Theobald, headteacher at Downland School, said: “I wrote to parents and I am grateful for their patience and understanding. The safety of our school community is very important and we made the decision to close the school as the best option due to staffing numbers.

“We will continue to work with the Wiltshire Public Health Team so this is carefully managed. We welcomed our pupils back on Monday 30 November.”

Kate Blackburn, Director of Public Health for Wiltshire, said: “This was an important precautionary measure to ensure the school keeps the risk of any transmission within the school community as low as possible. We will continue to support the school so high standards of COVID-19 measures can be maintained.

“It is a legal requirement that anyone asked to self-isolate should follow the government information on this and stay at home. If they don’t have symptoms, they do not need to get a test. However, if a member of their household has symptoms and takes a test then they should self-isolate.

“We ask that people regularly wash hands, maintain social distancing and wear face coverings where appropriate – this is the best way to keep you and everyone safe as much as possible.”