A POSITIVE coronavirus case has been confirmed at an Ellesmere Port secondary school.

Whitby High headteacher Bryn Heeley said "a member of our school community" tested positive for the virus and a number of students were now having to self-isolate until October 1.

The Sycamore Drive school places pupils in 'class bubbles' meaning the number of children affected by a positive case is kept to a "minimum".

Mr Heeley said the procedures put in place to deal with the positive case "worked very well" and he thanked parents and carers for their support.

In a statement, he said: "I can confirm that a member of our school community tested positive for Covid-19.

"Following our internal track and trace arrangement and in line with Public Health England guidance we have directed a number of students to self isolate until 1st October 2020.

"Our strategic re-opening plan places our students in 'class bubbles' which allows us to keep students affected by a positive case to a minimum thus significantly reducing disruption to education.

"All students self isolating, yesterday (September 22) received access to their parallel online curriculum which ensures that they continue with relevant work and make progress.

"As a school, we take our responsibility to keep students safe seriously by reducing risk as much as we can.

"Our procedures worked very well yesterday ensuring that the safety of students and staff remain our priority.

"I met many parents and carers yesterday as they collected their children and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support and appreciation for our actions."

Meanwhile, Cheshire West and Chester Council has thanked pupils, parents and carers, and schools for their support in getting children and young people back into the classroom for the autumn term.

All schools in the borough have been open since early September and the authority says they have worked hard adapting their sites and procedures to make them Covid secure for the start of the academic year.

Councillor Bob Cernik, cabinet member for children and families, said: "I'm really pleased that all schools in west Cheshire were able to fully reopen for the autumn term and have welcomed back all year groups successfully.

"Thank you to everyone involved in getting pupils back into the classroom, including parents and carers, who have been following the national and local guidance related to Covid-19.

"For many children being back in the classroom with their friends and teachers will be the best place for them to learn. If a child does need to self-isolate, due to COVID-19, schools have arrangements in place for home learning so that they can keep up with the lessons they are missing at home.

"I would also like to express my thanks to all our schools and their staff who have worked incredibly hard throughout lockdown and over these last few weeks of schools reopening to welcome pupils back and adapt to a new way of working.

"It is early days, but I believe that if we all follow the guidance issued nationally and locally, we can help stop the spread of Covid-19 in west Cheshire and ensure that children can continue their learning in the classroom."