Lawn Manor Academy is taking precautionary measures after one of its Year 11 students tested positive for Covid-19.

The student has not attended school since last Friday.

Headteacher Sandra Muir said: “While all preventative and proper bubble measures have been followed, the school has also agreed with advice from Swindon Borough Council’s public health team to take additional steps and ask all the 44 Year 11 students who may have had contact with the individual concerned to remain at home to self-isolate and not to return to school until Monday November 30. No staff are affected.

“This case was acquired in the community, and we are grateful to all parents for the care they are taking in isolating their children as soon as they suspect they may have the virus and informing the school as soon as possible.

“Parents of those students affected were informed yesterday and we have had a considerable number of phone calls and messages from parents and carers voicing their amazing support for the way we are dealing with this.

“Our school community is regularly reminded if they have any Covid symptoms whatsoever, they must self-isolate and take a test. We appreciate that self-isolation causes inconvenience to our students, their families and staff, and are grateful for their support and understanding.”

Swindon Borough Council’s director of public health Steve Maddern said: “We are working with Lawn Manor Academy to manage the recent Covid-19 cases. All the contacts of the positive cases have been identified and have been told to self-isolate in line with public health guidance.”