A SCHOOL in Herefordshire has put contingency measures in place for 10 days after more than 10 per cent of pupils and staff in one year group tested positive for Covid-19.

Wigmore High School, in north Herefordshire, said it had seen a rise in Covid cases, like many schools across Herefordshire and the UK

It said on Monday that it had reached the Department for Education threshold for schools to take additional measures.

The threshold is defined as "10 per cent of children, pupils, students or staff who are likely to have mixed closely test positive for Covid-19 within a 10-day period", senior deputy headteacher Sarah Steer said.

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She said in a letter to parents that threshold had been reached in year seven, in addition to a number of positive cases across other year groups and staff.

As a result, she said the school was putting "contingency measures" in place for 10 days from Tuesday.

Those measures will include compulsory face coverings in communal areas, and for year sevens in lessons.

She said pupils should also go to school dressed in indoor PE kit on the days they have PE to avoid using the changing rooms.

Clubs, fixtures and trips were suspended for the duration of the additional measures, and students would be separated into year groups at break-times and lunchtimes.

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"With cases rising across the country, we need to remain vigilant and current guidance requires us to act in this way," she said.

"Please support us in ensuring that your child continues to carry out twice weekly lateral flow testing at home to keep our school community safe.

"All pupils are regularly supplied with testing kits and more are available from the school office, should your child require any additional tests.

"I must again stress that if you or your family have any Covid-19 symptoms, then the symptomatic individuals should book a PCR test as soon as possible, we would also strongly advise that close contacts book a PCR test as well."

John Kyrle High School in Ross-on-Wye became the latest school to confirm Covid cases on Tuesday, with around 50 schools in Herefordshire reporting Covid-related student absences last Wednesday, according to Herefordshire Council.

Almeley Primary School and Kingstone High School are both closed due to the number of Covid cases found, and Hereford Academy, The Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School, Marlbrook Primary School, Sutton Primary Academy, Weobley High School and Holmer CE Academy are among the schools to confirm cases.