Worcester Sixth Form College has announced it will be not be open to students for two weeks after a 'handful' of coronavirus cases at the setting.

In an email sent out to students and parents the College said: "Dear Students, Parents and Carers I was informed this morning that a member of support staff has tested positive. This member of staff has not had close contact with students, however, they have had contact with a number of staff who have subsequently been identified as being proximity contacts and are now required to self-isolate. "

A spokeswoman for the school said: "We will follow the lead of a number of other colleges and schools and have a two-week period where students are not in college as a circuit break measure.

"This will take immediate effect and will mean that college will be closed to all students and teaching delivered remotely during the week commencing 19 October.

"The expectation is that college will reopen to students after half-term. This decision has been communicated with students, parents and staff.

"The college is well-prepared for remote delivery after successfully supporting students during the period of closure from March. Staff have received additional training and an investment made into equipment and resources to ensure that teachers are even better prepared to support students."

Ed Senior, Principal, said: “The local Health Protection Team have been positive about our safety measures and our response when I have contacted them in relation to the handful of confirmed COVID cases affecting our students. Nevertheless, the circuit break provides opportunities to review risk assessments and protocols and consider additional measures as appropriate so that College continues to be a safe environment for all members of the College community.

"Whilst it is disappointing that there will be a week of remote learning and I am keen to return to as full an education as possible, I am reassured that we have had time at the start of term to build relationships with all our students and instil good study habits to ensure that we continue to fully support them.”

Any scheduled external examinations will proceed as planned and students who receive free school meals will continue to be supported.