More positive coronavirus cases confirmed at Fleetwood primary school

This morning, Dave McPartlin, headteacher at Flakefleet Primary School in Northfleet Avenue, confirmed two more bubbles would be closed due to positive cases of Covid-19.

The school's Little Lighthouse provision for two-year-olds and a Year Two class are the latest bubbles to close.

Yesterday, Mr McPartlin told parents two positive cases had affected the school's after school provision and pre-school nursery, forcing them to close.

The total of positive Covid-19 cases at Flakefleet now stands at four, all affecting staff. No children have tested positive for the virus at this stage.

Mr McPartlin moved to reassure parents the school was following strict safety measures, and reinforced that he would remain transparent with them at all times.

He said: "I always say knowledge is power, and being honest and transparent is the way to go.

"We've had a couple more cases late yesterday evening and into this morning.

"Because of staffing issues, Little Lighthouse will be closed for the remainder of the week, and 2DP will be closed until Thursday, back in on Friday.

"It's really important to be honest with you all, please be assured we're doing everything obsessively safely.

"We had a positive case, contact with last Monday in 2DP, we had one more case since my last update, so there've been three positive cases for staff in nursery, no children anywhere yet."

Mr McPartlin urged parents to adhere to the safety guidance when bringing children to school, and only to do so if it was essential for them to attend.

"Staffing issues" had also arisen due to members of staff dealing with "childcare issues."

"Just a reminder to parents, please don't send your children in unless it's essential. We're trying to keep numbers down to an absolute minimum," Mr McPartlin continued.

"Any of our vulnerable children, please send them in as normal. Don't forget to wear your mask on the way in and follow the one-way system.

"We've got lots of staff off with childcare issues now, so just pre-warning everybody that we are stretched quite thinly at the moment.

"They may be one or two other bubbles which need to close because of staffing issues.

"So that's where it is. Four positive cases, three staff off as contact, at least three or four staff off for childcare reasons or in and out this week.

"We all know the numbers are very high in Fleetwood, we really must do all that we can.

"Stay at home, do everything that you need to, and hopefully, I feel pretty strongly, that over the next week or two the numbers will start to come down."