CHILDREN have been told to stay away from a primary school in Haslington after a case of Covid-19.

Parents of Year 3 and 4 pupils at The Dingle Primary School were told their offspring would have to self-isolate at home until next Monday after a confirmed case in one class.

The school is following public health guidelines laid down by Cheshire East Council with the authority admitting access to testing is proving "a challenge" for the county's schools.

In a letter to parents head teacher Ben Cox says there is no need for parents to have their children tested unless they show coronavirus symptoms. But if they are symptomatic and have a test which comes back negative then they will still need to stay off school for 14 days.

"This is because they could develop the virus in the remaining days. If they (children) test positive please follow track and trace and inform the school," says Mr Cox.

"Parents and other members of the household of these children do not need to isolate and can go to work etc, unless they show symptoms, in which case they should isolate themselves and get tested as soon as possible."

The school has contacted parents in the class to offer advice on home learning while the children are away from school.

Cheshire East Council says it is working very closely with schools and the public health team when and wherever there is a suspected case of coronavirus in a school setting.

A class of pupils at Shavington Primary School were also forced to self-isolate this month after a staff member produced a positive coronavirus test.

Curbing the spread of virus since the return of pupils to the classroom at the beginning of this month has been a high priority for public health officials and schools are handed clear advice.

"Schools receive public health guidance through a dedicated team, with a range of resources available to support communications with parents, carers and the school community," said a Cheshire East spokesman.

"Access to testing is a challenge for all our schools and we will continue to advocate on behalf of Cheshire East to ensure this is prioritised.

"Schools have been working tirelessly over the summer and into the start of the autumn term to ensure that the hygiene and social distancing measures are in place and the safety of pupils and school staff continues to be our priority.

"We urge all schools and families to follow Department for Education and Public Health England guidance by maintaining good hygiene and social distancing measures, including regular hand washing, and to apply for a test in the event of symptoms that indicate coronavirus."

Further information about coronavirus in schools can be found here.