Year 7 and 8 pupils told to stay home at Blackpool Aspire Academy as staff self-isolate due to coronavirus

The school, on Blackpool Old Road, will be closed to Year 7 and 8 pupils from tomorrow.

Head teacher John Woods said: "This decision has not been taken easily, however, due to staff absence I can no longer provide a safe educational environment for all our year groups. Clearly Year 11 have the most pressing need for formal education while Years 9 and 10 have external exams within the next term, hence the decision to keep these year groups in school."

Affected pupils were provided with study packs containing English, maths, science, history and French workbooks to be completed during the closure, and a 'home learning' section has been added to the school's website.

Pupils who are eligible for free school meals can, if not self-isolating, collect a packed lunch from the school's entrance during normal lunch break hours.

John Topping, of the Fylde Coast Academy Trust, said: "Due to the number of staff following government advice, the schools find themselves in a situation with insufficient personnel to run the school safely, and therefore difficult decisions have been made regarding partial closures.

"The situation is being monitored by the hour and we will have to adapt to how circumstances dictate."

Mr Woods said: "Clearly this is an unprecedented situation, and we are working hard to manage it as effectively as possible."