THE Vyne School has closed after members of the school community test positive for coronavirus.

A total of 737 students are now in isolation and will not return to school until the week beginning November 23.

It is the first school in Basingstoke to be shut by the virus and it comes as nine other schools in the borough report cases in the last fortnight.

Headteacher Nicola Pearce confirmed that a "small number of individuals" at the school have tested positive for COVID-19.

She added the positive cases have "had an impact" on bubbles throughout the school and Public Health England has instructed them to ask all year groups to self-isolate.

The headteacher continued: "While this is unfortunate, I am confident that we are reacting responsibly to what has been a developing situation. Ultimately, we must all do what we can to prevent any further spread of infection, which means responding accordingly to the circumstances we are faced with.

"I am unable to provide any detail relating to the positive cases as this information is confidential. However, all being well, we expect to welcome all year groups back to school the week beginning 23 November. In the meantime, the school has implemented arrangements so that the students can now access remote learning and support from home."

Acording to the GOV.UK website, 23 per cent of students at The Vyne School are entitled to free school meals.

Nicola Pearce has confirmed that the school team delivered 126 meals yesterday and are currently delivering a further 87 meals today.

All students who are entitled to free school meals will receive a food parcel with recipe cards and cooking instructions for next week. 

The outbreak began last Friday, November 6, when the school saw its first confirmed case.

On Monday an "urgent" message, which was sent out to parents of year seven, eight and nine pupils stating it was "necessary” to send home students in these year groups home.

Year 11 students followed suit yesterday, November 10 and today is the first day of the closure.

Whilst the school will be closed until Monday, November 23, it continues to "support students and their families through this difficult time self isolating".