Staff at the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy have praised parents who have made arrangements that allow children to stay at home. 

Headteacher Anita Ellis said the school anticipated 40 children on Monday morning but only received 11. 

Mrs Ellis said: "Clearly the message to remain at home unless you absolutely have to come into school had made an impact

“We have received some lovely emails from parents of children who are entitled to be in, showing us their new ‘work stations’ at home.

“We’ve also had an excellent response from students completing their online work, and virtual interactions are taking place throughout the day.

"The students who have come in have been split between five classrooms with internet access so that they can do their online learning - they are all distance learning.

"At break time and lunchtime students are placed in different areas of the school, and staff are also social distancing. 

"We have also requested that all rooms are given a thorough cleaning at the end of each day.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to all our parents and students, and of course my fantastic staff, teaching and non-teaching, for all the support you are giving each other to ensure that we can deliver learning as best we possibly can.”

The school started the day with 10 teaching staff including two members of the leadership and middle management teams and a learning mentor.

Two members of the support staff are on the rota, and the school’s data manager is at the school each day to check on uploads and monitor communications from the local authority or the Department for Education.