MORE staff at a primary school near Ludlow have tested positive for coronavirus, leading to more children being sent home.

Wigmore Primary sent children in years four and six home last week due to rising numbers of Covid cases at the school, west of Ludlow.

But in another update to parents, executive headteacher Dr Robert Patterson said year five pupils would also now have to be sent home to learn remotely on Tuesday and Wednesday.

He thanked parents for their accommodation and consideration at the partial closure of the school, in Ford Street, but said the move was unavoidable as another three members of staff had tested positive for Covid this weekend.

"A huge thank you to all parents of pupils in Years 4 and 6 for your accommodation and consideration at the end of the last week when we had to partially close the school," Dr Patterson said.

"It made a massive difference to the continuity of learning for children for those still in school and I hope you managed ok with your ‘home teacher’ hats on again.

"Sadly, three more staff have tested positive over the weekend and so the disruption continues into this week. As a result, cherry class will be closed on Tuesday, January 25 and Wednesday, January 26."

He said he had spoken to Herefordshire Council, where public health experts expected the Covid rates to start falling this week.

"I also learned that coronavirus is affecting primary schools across Herefordshire far more than high schools at the moment and many others have been in the same position as us, needing to enforce partial closures," he said.

"There are, I’m afraid, still a number of cases amongst our pupils in a range of classes and we will not be below the contingency measures threshold this week."

Those measures include no congregating of children at the start or end of the school day, the suspension of all clubs and trips and visits to the site restricted.