Parents of children at The Kingston Academy have expressed their concerns about the school remaining open despite a child testing positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) this week.

Mum Nancy Griffiths, 53, has a 13-year-old son at the school, but has kept him at home since last Monday.

She also has a daughter with Down’s syndrome who attends nearby Latchmere School, and has taken both children out of school as a precaution.

“I have to do everything I can to protect my little girl. I kept them both off,” she said.

“Thankfully the Latchmere teacher test had come back clear, but as there are close links to both schools none of my children are going back.”

Nancy’s daughter has heart and lung problems, so she has kept both children home to minimise any risk of contamination.

She said last night’s email about the confirmed case at The Kingston Academy [March 3] sent her into “panic mode”.

“We don’t know who the child is, or the age. Other parents are saying different things. It’s a massive school, and I’m really quite concerned because there are other vulnerable children in that school.

“I can’t afford for my daughter to catch this. I feel as a parent, we don’t know enough about this not to be worried.”

She is now helping to educate both children at home, and has stocked up on food to minimise contact.

 “I’ve stuck to my decision,” she said.

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One mum has stocked up on food in preparation for self-isolation. Credit - Nancy Griffiths

Mum Kelly Harrison has a son at Bedelsford School, which closed this week after a member of staff returned from an affected country.

She said she was “very pleased” the school took the decision to close, adding “they have the protection of our children at the forefront of their dealings with the coronavirus”.

“My son Vinnie is almost five years old and has a neuromuscular condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1. This is the number one genetic killer of children under the age of two and a cold is enough to kill him,” she said.

However she said she was “disgusted” that The Kingston Academy had not closed after a confirmed case.

“They have children at the school with weakened respiratory systems and this could mean a lengthy hospital stay, even on life support. By keeping the school open they are allowing the virus to be spread round the children, in turn taking it home where there could be vulnerable people,” she said.

Christy Chung Nguyen also has a son who attends The Kingston Academy.

She said she didn’t think enough was being done by the school.

“They need to close for one day at least to do deep cleaning, then they can open again. Two schools next door, Tiffin Girls and Fern Hill should do the same because they are at the same location,” she said.

However, today The Kingston Academy announced in an email to parents that a full risk assessment undertaken by Public Health England concluded that the infected pupil was not symptomatic in school and that the school should continue to operate as normal.

It said: “PHE advise that other children at the school are not at increased risk of contracting the virus. In connection with this incident, pupils and their families do not need to self-isolate or take any precautionary measures.”

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Kingston Academy

It was also advised that there was no need for a deep clean.

Nevertheless, the school said it had put in place an “advanced cleaning regime across the school site”.

A number of parents were sympathetic towards the school and warned against panicking.

One parent, who did not want to be identified, described some press coverage as “scaremongering.”

“The children are already scared. My eight-year-old asked me if he would die from this. It’s important to share facts. If parents have family relatives who have health issues then it makes sense to self-isolate. But closing schools would be excessive and panic causing .

“It would also mean parents need to stay home with children – doctors , nurses and police for example would need to stay home. This would impact the infrastructure severely and put the fragile health system under more pressure.

“Schools are doing their best to support the children and the crisis is diverting resources just to communicate with hysterical parents,” she said.

Another email sent this afternoon (March 4) confirmed that the school will be open tomorrow, but World Book Day has been postponed “so that we can ensure that no member of our school community misses out on the opportunity to take part”.

In a statement released today [March 4] Ms Cavanagh said: “I understand the COVID-19 situation is worrying, but we are following guidance given in conversation with Public Health England. Our pupils and staff and their

families are our priority – we are following all advice being given by experts in this area. I am pleased to say that the pupil concerned is doing well. If students and staff are not experiencing any symptoms, they should attend school as normal.”