A HEREFORDSHIRE primary school is set to reopen this morning after the number of coronavirus cases found forced a 'circuit-breaker' closure.

St Mary's CE Primary School in Credenhill closed on November 23 in a bid to curb the rise in cases.

In a statement posted on the school's website at the time, staff said: "As you are aware we have had a significant increase in Covid cases within school and as such had to close our Year 3 and Year 6 classes.

"We have worked tirelessly to ensure that we keep the children and staff as safe as possible during the current pandemic, but despite our best efforts to reduce the risk of transmission within school, and following notification of further cases today, we have received confirmation from the local authority and the acting cirector of Public Health Herefordshire (Dr Rebecca Howell-Jones) that the next course of action is for the school to close for a one-week period with immediate effect.

"We update Public Health England daily with the latest Covid-19 cases in school and they have risk-assessed and taken their decision from this data.

"The purpose of this break is to act as a ‘circuit breaker’ and cease the transmission of Covid-19 throughout the school.

"As such the school will be completely closed to all pupils (key worker places will not be available during this closure)."

The move saw children switch to online learning, while Public Health England advised parents to complete carry out a lateral flow test for their children and themselves.

All returning pupils will be required to take a lateral flow test in the 24 hours before returning to school today (November 30)