THE majority of year 11 students have returned to Winsford Academy today after one pupil tested positive for coronavirus last week.

Sixty must remain at home in isolation for 14 days.

The entire cohort was advised to stay at home in isolation on Friday as a precaution after a diagnosis was confirmed on Thursday.

After receiving guidance from Public Health England and the Health Protection Team, the school told parents it is now safe for most of the year 11 students to return to the classroom.

Only 60 students, 28 per cent of the year group, who may have had potential contact with the pupil diagnosed with coronavirus will now have to isolate for 14 days.

Principal Gary Evans said: "We have been guided by Public Health England and the Health Protection Team to establish which students may have potentially in close contact.

"There are six definitions of 'close contact' and one is any student who came within two metres of someone who as tested positive for more than 15 minutes.

"We referred to seating plans and worked out which students had been within two metres of this student for more than 15 minutes as well as those who were at lunch break or on the way to or from school with this person.

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"No staff had been in close contact with the student."

The student is in isolation at home for 14 days.

"The student is not showing any symptoms," said Mr Evans. "I believe that all the steps we have taken as a school has helped to protect staff and students as much as possible. We have got through seven weeks of term without a positive case which I think is very good.

"We were one of the few schools to enforce the wearing of face coverings from the start of term.

"I believe we are doing our best to protect students and staff."