Covid bus alert for Exeter pupils

Route 976 had covid child on board

A child at St Peter's School, Exeter has contracted coronavirus, leading to the school alerting children who catch the route 976 Stagecoach bus to school.

The pupil is in year nine, making them 13 or 14 years old. They tested positive on Thursday, 8 October and are now staying off school. Other children in the year bulletin who have been in contact with the affected pupil have been identified and will now be self-isolating until Monday 19 October.

In a letter to parents, the school says: "Students from all year groups who have used the 976 bus from Tuesday 29 September until Friday 2 October are also impacted and must also self-isolate. In line with the national guidance, we recommend that your child now stays at home and self-isolates returning to school on the 19 October 2020. If they have used the 976 bus service as outlined above please inform the school using the student absence line....Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the self-isolation period."

Headteacher Phil Randall said: "As a school with 1,300 students we have been on high alert for symptoms of coronavirus and strictly adhering to government guidelines around hand-washing, social distancing and year group bubbles. We have been able to identify students and staff who may have come into contact with the affected student.

"The students that are self-isolating will now be able to access our Google Classroom learning, and follow their normal timetable. Students are well equipped and very familiar with this platform and teachers are already preparing and setting work. We'll be monitoring the situation closely and hope this will prove to be an isolated case."

Stagecoach's 976 Exeter route goes through Alphington, Exwick and Pinhoe and serves St. Peter's School.