A NUMBER of schools have been closed or partially closed amid concerns over coronavirus.

WREXHAM

Alexandra School will be closed from today (Wednesday) until Friday due to an "emergency affecting the area around the school."

In a statement from the school to parents, published on Wrexham Council's website, a spokesman said: "Late this afternoon, a parent has contacted me to inform me that her child who was sent home poorly this morning, may have Covid 19.

"As the NHS is not officially testing, this is currently a ‘suspected’ case.

"Therefore, in order to safeguard our pupils, staff and wider community, I have taken the decision to close school for the rest of the week in order to perform a deep clean.

"We will review this situation on Friday lunch time and make a decision regarding the following week. It may be by then that the Government has issued further advice to schools regarding mass closures.

"During this period, if your child displays any symptoms, please inform your child’s class teacher via Dojo or email school on mailbox@alexandra-pri.wrexham.sch.uk

"By Friday, home learning grids will be available on our school website should you wish to access them.

"I hope you support this decision and understand that it has been made with everybody’s best interests at heart."

The Leader:

According to the council's website, Darland School will be partially closed from today until April 3 due to insufficient staff cover.

The school is closed to students in years seven to nine but is open to pupils in years 10 and 11.

Ysgol Bryn Alyn will also be be partially closed from today until March 21, Wrexham Council's website confirms.

A spokesman for the school said, in a statement on the council's website: "Ysgol Bryn Alyn will be OPEN for Year 11 and 10 pupils only. "It will also be OPEN to any pupils in Year 7 – 9 whose parent works for the NHS as a doctor or nurse.

"As of 18th March 2020, school will be CLOSED to pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9.

The Leader:

"If you work in the NHS and are a parent of a pupil in Years 7 – 9, please contact the school so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

"The decision to partially close has not been taken lightly however, due to staffing shortages we must prioritise those pupils who are sitting GCSE exams in the near future.

"In line with national advice, pupils’ should not attend school if they have a ‘new persistent cough’ or a ‘raised temperature’. If you send a child into school with either of these, we will contact you and ask you to collect them immediately. Please, follow the national advice and keep everyone safe!"

As of Thursday (March 19) Ysgol Rhosnesni will be open for pupils in Years 10 and 11 only. School will be closed to Year 7, 8 and 9 students, unless they are the children of NHS and Emergency Services workers.

As of Thursday morning, St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican High School will be open for pupils in Years 10 and 11, and by arrangement for those pupils whose parents work in essential services e.g. NHS, pharmacies, emergency services etc.

Ysgol Clywedog announced that from Thursday, the school will only be open to year 11 and 10 students from 8:45am until further notice. Parents who work in the NHS, Emergency Services or other essential services may contact the school to discuss supervision.

Flintshire

Castell Alun High School, in Hope, is to remain open only to 10, 11, 12 and 13 from Wednesday (March 18) until further notice.

It comes after the school has identified "a significant number" of its staff who are "increased risk from coronavirus".

A statement on the school's website said: "In light of the new health advice from the UK government, and information received late this afternoon, we have now identified a significant number of our staff who are at increased risk from coronavirus (COVID-19) or who are now having to self-isolate with family members for 14 days.

The Leader:

"It is clear that our ability to provide adequate levels of supervision and education will be gravely compromised with such reduced levels of staffing, and this has put the school in a position where we do not have sufficient teaching staff to provide a full curriculum to all years.

"At this stage of the year, our priority has to be students in years 10, 11, 12 and 13 who have their external examinations in the near future.

"I have therefore taken the difficult decision to operate a partial closure of the school."

Connah's Quay High School has also announced a partial closure, starting today, due to "public safety".

Elfed High School in Buckley is closed and continues to deliver online teaching and feedback for students until further notice is given.