Coronavirus: Hastings school closes after person tests positive for virus

A school in Hastings has closed due to a relative of a pupil testing positive for the virus.
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In a letter to parents dated March 13, Claremont said it would be closing its Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep school off the A21 in Ebden's Hill, Baldslow, 'with immediate effect' due to a 'positive COVID-19 case associated with the school'.

The school confirmed that it was a relative of one of the pupils at the Prep school, who tested positive away from the school, and added that they were deep-cleaning the prep school site as a 'precautionary measure'. It will be closed for seven days.

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The letter urged parents to keep in contact. It said: "We realise this is an unsettling period and we are here to provide support and advice to you and your child. During the closure period, if your child, you or any of your family members are diagnosed with coronavirus, please inform us as soon as possible."

A school in Hastings has closed for a deep cleanA school in Hastings has closed for a deep clean
A school in Hastings has closed for a deep clean

According to its website, Claremont is a day and boarding school for students aged one to 18 years. Set up in 1925, The Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School is set on an 125 acre estate and teaches more than 400 students.

The closure will affect these pupils, and Claremont's senior school pupils - based in Bodiam, East Sussex - who have siblings at the prep school.

Giles Perrin, Principal said: "As always, the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and families is our top priority. With the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), we have implemented a series of measures and protocols to monitor the health of students and staff while at school, as well as to ensure that the school environment remains a safe one.

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"Given the current situation, we have taken the precautionary measure of temporarily closing the Prep and Nursery buildings in order to carry out a deep clean throughout the premises.

Claremont's pre-prep, prep and nursery school has been closed for deep cleaning. Picture: Google MapsClaremont's pre-prep, prep and nursery school has been closed for deep cleaning. Picture: Google Maps
Claremont's pre-prep, prep and nursery school has been closed for deep cleaning. Picture: Google Maps

"We are communicating with all families and staff and will keep them informed throughout the closure and as to when the school plans to reopen. During the school closure, where possible, learning for our students will continue via the strategies we have put in place via our distance learning tools."

This followed news yesterday of East Sussex's first coronavirus case.

While the school is closed, pupils will continue their education online.

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According to the school's website, the nursery and prep school open morning and forest school experience scheduled today has also been postponed.

The senior school and sixth form open morning was due to go ahead as planned at the Bodiam site.

Last week, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus to be a pandemic. The last figures suggest that more than 125,000 people have been diagnosed in 118 countries, and deaths total more than 4,600.

Four cases have been diagnosed in West Sussex and nine in Brighton and Hove.

Claremont has been approached for comment.

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