Two schools have become the first to completely close this term in a Covid ‘circuit breaker’ due to rising cases.
St Mary’s Church of England Primary in Credenhill, Hereford, closed yesterday and will not reopen until Tuesday, with pupils learning online in the meantime.
Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio in Lancashire has informed children that they will also be learning from home until December 2, according to Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio.

St Mary’s Church of England Primary, Credenhill (Herford). This revealed that the Herefordshire Council partnered with it to decide the closing of the term.
St Mary’s told parents in a letter that the closure to all pupils was to act as ‘a “circuit breaker” and cease the transmission of Covid-19 throughout the school’.
It was revealed that the decision had been taken in partnership by Herefordshire Council, and that two-year groups from Herefordshire were sent home for precautionary reasons.
The letter said: ‘The purpose of this break is to act as a “circuit breaker” and cease the transmission of Covid-19 throughout the school.
‘As such the school will be completely closed to all pupils.’

Both schools which this term closed in a Covid ‘circuit breaker’ have told the pupils that they will be learning remotely in the meantime
A school spokesman added: ‘In conjunction with public health colleagues and the Local Authority we have decided a short break and working online is a sensible step to break the cycle.’
Colin Grand, principal of Darwen Aldridge, told the Manchester Evening News: ‘Like all small schools even a slight increase in staff testing positive for Covid has a significant impact on our ability to deliver face to face lessons.
‘In conjunction with PHE, the DfE and Covid guidelines we have taken the difficult decision to build in a short circuit break and move towards remote learning until 2nd December when we hope to welcome our staff and pupils back.’

Molly Kingsley, of parent group UsForThem, said: ‘It’s time we let our children get on with living their lives’
Many restrictions, including isolation periods and bubbles, were removed when schools returned to September. Secondary students and staff were informed that they were no longer required to wear masks.
Molly Kingsley, of parent group UsForThem, said: ‘We’re deeply saddened to see schools closing due to Covid.
‘Kids have missed out on so much face-to-face time this year that they just need to be back in their classrooms and with their friends, learning and being children.
‘To close schools at a time when adults are about to be enjoying Christmas parties and mixing seems especially unfair.
‘It’s time we let our children get on with living their lives.’