AN academy trust has confirmed a positive case of Covid-19 at one of the district’s schools.

WISE Academies, which runs the Shaftoe Trust Acedemy, at Haydon Bridge, said all steps had been taken in line with advice received from Public Health England and the Department for Education.

“We are able to confirm that there has been one positive Covid-19 case at Shaftoe Trust Academy, Haydon Bridge,” said a statement from WISE.

“Upon notification the academy acted very swiftly to notify the school community. All appropriate steps have been taken in line with the advice received from Public Health and the Department for Education.

“Our academies will continue to adhere to the latest guidance in handling any such situations, this includes ensuring remote learning is in place for those pupils affected by any ‘bubble closure’. The priority will always be the safety of our pupils, staff and the community.”

Meanwhile, Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member for children’s services at Northumberland County Council, praised the way schools have responded to the pandemic.

Speaking at the full council meeting on November 4, Coun. Renner-Thompson said across Northumberland, there had been 396 positive cases of Covid-19 in the county’s schools as of November 2, which amounted to less than one per cent of the schools population.

He added: “Schools in Northumberland have responsed really well to the challenges of Covid-19. Members of the community should be reassured that all that can be done is being done to keep schools safe and secure.”

Coun. Renner-Thompson said schools had extensive risk assessments in place, and were working with the public health team.