School reveals when it will reopen with more than 20 staff self-isolating

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A Bedlington primary school has revealed when children will return to the classroom after being forced to close with more than 20 staff members self-isolating.

Whitley Memorial Primary School closed its doors on Wednesday, October 7, after being plunged into a staffing crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bedlington school initially closed over a two-day period to allow for a deep clean, citing that its catchment area had one of the highest areas of confirmed cases in Northumberland.

But the school later revealed it could no longer continue to operate due to more than 20 members of staff being off work as a result of the virus.

Whitley Memorial Primary School said it could not guarantee the safety and welfare of its children and staff, adding that it would not reopen until October 19 "at the earliest".

It has now been announced that staff and pupils will now return on Monday, with the exception of Morpeth and Kielder classes who will be back in the classroom on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, following self-isolation.