Updated: Cases of coronavirus confirmed at four Wrexham schools

Updated: Four Wrexham schools have today confirmed that they have been notified of positive cases of coronavirus within their students.

Maelor School Penley has confirmed that it will close for the next 48 hours while deep cleaning takes place.

In a statement this afternoon Headmaster Simon Ellis said, “This morning I have been informed of further positive cases of Covid 19 within our school community related to the case we had on Friday. The school has to prioritise the health and safety of all.

“In consultation with the governing body and the local authority, I have made the decision to close the school to all for two days. This will be Monday 7th December and Tuesday 8th December.”

“This closure will allow us to ensure that all areas in school are clean and that sufficient staffing is available to continue face to face learning from Wednesday 9th December.”

Mr Ellis added, “I realise that this will be a huge inconvenience, not only to domestic arrangements but also to the learning that pupils and students will experience. As with the ‘firebreak’ we will be setting work online for these days.”

The school will be moving to their online learning systems.

Darland High School this afternoon tweeted a letter sent to parents after a student in year 10 and 11 tested positive for coronavirus.

In line with national guidance from Public Health Wales all students in Year 11 have been asked to stay at home and self-isolate until Saturday 19th December.

Year 11 students can return to school on Tuesday 5th January 2021.

All students in Year 10 are also being asked to stay at home and self-isolate. Students in the year group can return to school on Thursday 17th December.

The school says there is “no possible cross contamination from school transport linked” to either cases.

Darland High School remains open to the remaining year groups.

Ysgol Y Waun in Chirk has also notified parents this afternoon that “in response to a positive COVID-19 test we are having to close years 3, 4 and 5 from tomorrow.”

Pupils are expected to self-isolate for 14 days from 5th December.

Ysgol Rhosnesni has also released a statement today explaining the school is closed to all Year 10 students from Monday 7th December.

The statement said: “Following a confirmed case of Covid-19 within Year 10, all Year 10 students are required to self-isolate with immediate effect until Wednesday 16th December.

“They can return to school on Thursday 17th December as normal, as long as they are well. Siblings can attend school as normal, unless anyone in the household is displaying any symptoms of COVID-19.”

All other schools in Wrexham County Borough are currently indicating as open.