Student at Sunderland school's sixth form tests positive for coronavirus

Southmoor Academy sent a message about a positive test in its Sixth Form.

One who contacted the Echo had received a text alerting them to the situation.

"There has been a positive Covid test in the Sixth Form,” it reads.

"We have isolated the immediate contact and your child is not considered to be an immediate contact.”

The school was previously criticised for allowing people to use the swimming pool on its Ryhope Road site during the lockdown.

Leisure centres and public pools were closed days before Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued the full lockdown alert on Monday, March 23.

But it later emerged that Southmoor Academy had agreed to let a group of adults use its pool.

Southmoor is one of dozens of Sunderland schools to have reported a positive coronavirus test.

Many are currently partially closed or have pupils self-isolating after a number of confirmed coronavirus cases.

Together for Children issues a daily update of those schools which have partial closures in place, including Bexhill Primary Academy, Diamond Hall Junior Academy, East Herrington Primary Academy and Hetton Primary and Secondary Schools.

Schools which have pupils self-isolating but have not closed entire year groups include The Venerable Bede C of E Academy, Castle View Enterprise Academy, Biddick Academy, Thornhill Academy, Sandhill View Academy and St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy.

Harry Watts Academy has been closed due to a combination of covid and boiler problems. It was due to reopen today, Thursday, October 1, but will remain closed for a further two days.

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