A NUMBER of pupils are being forced to self isolate after a Covid outbreak at a Worcester school.

Students at Tudor Grange Academy are self isolating after some tested positive for Covid-19.

The Worcester News understands between July 4 and July 5 this week there were 15 positive lateral flow tests, and one positive staff test at the school in Bilford Road.

One parent told us they had a message to pick up their child at 9.25am on Monday morning, as someone had Covid in the bubble, with them adding it had "got out of hand".

We approached the school for comment we were directed to speak to Worcestershire County Council.

The school did not provide a figure on the number of children currently forced to self-isolate but a parent has told us it is "a lot".

And in a letter sent to parents the school said there had been the partial closure of year group bubbles.

In a statement released by the authority Dr Kathryn Cobain, director of Public Health for Worcestershire, said: “We have been advised of a number of confirmed coronavirus cases at Tudor Grange Academy.

"The cases were quickly identified by the school and notified to Public Health England and Public Health Worcestershire.

"The relevant bubbles have been asked to self-isolate as per the national guidance and the school continues to be supported by Public Health England.

"All children within the affected bubbles will continue their learning through remote access.

"Both the school and county council would like to thank the parents and pupils for their ongoing support and understanding."

The school, based in Bilford Road, was approached last week and asked how many cases it had but said it could not provide a figure and that absentees were at a “minimum” with no year groups required to isolate.

Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, told MPs on Tuesday that the use of “bubbles” in schools was to be scrapped as part of the lifting of restrictions from July 19.

He said from August 16 children will only need to self-isolate if they have tested positive for Covid-19.

A total of 3,422 staff and pupils are currently self-isolating from 40 of Worcestershire’s schools, as of Thursday (July 1), Worcestershire County Council said.