A WHOLE year group at a school in Wickford has been told to self-isolate after a surge in Covid-19 cases in Basildon.

Last month some students at Beauchamps High School were told to work from home because so many teachers were self-isolating.

But in a letter home on Friday, parents were told by headteacher Matt Harper that as a result of the increasing numbers in the Basildon area, any positive Covid-19 case will now result in the whole year group bubble having to self-isolate.

Basildon entered the top ten of most affected area in England on Friday after 588 new cases were recorded in previous seven day, bringing the borough's infection rate to 314.1 per 100,000 population.

It could see the borough plunged into Tier 3 restrictions.

Mr Harper said: “This change has resulted in the whole of Year 7 being asked to self-isolate.

“We have had Year 8 return to school following a 'whole-bubble' period of self-isolation, as well as a small number of other isolated Covid-19 positive cases involving students from other year groups.

“I would like to reassure you that it continues to be the case that the majority of positive cases have been as a result of close contact with others at home rather than in school.

“Unfortunately, and significantly for the weeks ahead, we also still have a high number of staff who are having to self-isolate through the Test and Trace system.

“Therefore, we need to continue to have a partial closure for some year groups.”

The Year 7 group has been told to self-isolate and cannot return to school until December 18.

Years 8, 11, 12, and 13 will also only be in school for part of the week.

Mr Harper added that it is “quite likely” that other full year group bubbles will be asked to self-isolate at some point over the next two weeks.

“All of these decisions are very difficult to make," he said.

“Of course, we always want all of our students in school, but safety has to be our primary concern, and I feel I have no choice but to make these adjustments.”