A BASINGSTOKE secondary school has been forced to close after "at least one individual in almost each year group" at the school has tested positive for Covid.

The Hurst school in Tadley has closed and has moved all teaching online after several member of the school community have contracted the virus.

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm the Hurst School has reported that at least one individual in almost each year group at the school has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating, and a number of other members of the school community are self-isolating due to being identified as close contacts. This has had a wider impact on the school and meant that, in the interest of pupils’ safety, the school is supporting all Hurst pupils to continue their learning remotely during this time.”  

A total of 28 schools in the borough now have recorded at least one positive case of coronavirus over the last 10 days.

Here is the full list:

  • Four Lanes
  • Hatch Warren
  • Kempshott 
  • Merton 
  • South View 
  • Wrinklebury 
  • Four Lanes 
  • Hatch Warren
  • Kempshott 
  • Manor Field 
  • Merton
  • Oakley 
  • Oakridge 
  • St Mary's
  • Winklebury 
  • Woolton Hill
  • Bramley 
  • Burnham Copse 
  • Chalk Ridge 
  • Fairfields 
  • Great Binfields
  • North Waltham 
  • Overton
  • Park View 
  • St John's 
  • St Mark's 
  • Sherborne St John
  • Tadley 

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson added: “The rise in the number of positive Covid-19 cases over recent weeks has been seen both in Hampshire and nationally, and the number of schools reporting a case of Covid-19 is in line with this.

"As we approach the end of term, heads and teaching staff are working extremely hard to ensure as many children as possible are able to stay in school, taking into account the current self-isolation guidance.

"The County Council currently publishes the details of schools with positive cases, but not the number of cases or details of the year groups isolating. This is because the figures are changing very swiftly.

"All schools with positive cases or where self-isolation is required are being supported by Public Health England's local Health Protection Team to ensure detailed communications are shared with parents, carers and the wider school community in a prompt and timely way."