Coronavirus: Hitchin school to reopen tomorrow, with new mask rules and staggered timetables

An entire Hitchin secondary school will reopen tomorrow after being closed for a day, as a member of the school’s teaching staff tested positive for coronavirus.

Hitchin Boys’ School announced the news that they will be forced to close for one day in a letter to parents yesterday evening. The school has subsequently confirmed that they plan to reopen to all students tomorrow.

In their letter, they confirmed that a member of teaching staff tested positive for COVID–19 on Saturday and a number of fellow staff will be self-isolating as per government guidance.

While teachers self-isolate, teaching time will be split between on-site learning and those dialling in to teach remotely from home via Google Classroom.

Cover teachers have been sought, and all lessons will be supervised by an on-site teacher.

Now, headteacher Mr Fergal Moane has made it mandatory for everyone to bring appropriate face coverings with them to school – with the expectation that pupils and staff wear them in the school’s corridors.

And there will be a staggered end to the day for all year groups in an attempt to reduce ‘bubble-mixing’ as pupils leave the school site.

A “small” number of pupils who came into contact with the teacher will also be expected to self-isolate for 14 days.

In his latest letter to parents, Mr Moane said: “I must apologise again for the disruption that having to close today has caused you and your son, but I hope you agree that the safety of everyone is the foremost priority.

“This action was taken as it became clear that we could not safely have all students on site today, but the adjustments that we have made for tomorrow going forward have ensured that all classes can be supervised and in the majority of cases taught by their normal teacher, whether in person or remotely.

“I cannot guarantee that this will be the last interruption that we face as we navigate the pandemic.”