A BRADFORD school has NOT had to close despite a "member of a bubble" testing positive for coronavirus, because the pupil had not attended for a "length of time".

Beckfoot School, in Bingley, confirmed a student on the school roll had tested positive for COVID-19.

It was a pupil who had not attended the school for a while, but had previously been in a bubble.

Headteacher, Simon Wade, said, after the school was made aware of the positive test, it immediately informed Public Health England (PHE), as well as others in the bubble concerned.

The Government body advised Beckfoot that there was "no need to close the bubble" or "take any further action as a school at this time".

Mr Wade said: "We were advised that a member of a bubble in Beckfoot School had been tested positive for COVID-19.

"We are grateful that the individual involved followed the guidelines and shared this information with us as soon as they became aware.

"This enabled us to act promptly and appropriately following both the guidelines of Public Health England and our own Risk Assessments.

"We wish those affected a speedy recovery."

Beckfoot shared the news with parents, carers, colleagues and Bradford Council on Thursday, June 25.

Mr Wade said this was "in the interest of keeping our school community informed and reassured that appropriate guidance has been followed."

The council was supportive of the actions taken by the school.

A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: "We were informed by Beckfoot School about a positive test.

"The school has worked closely with Public Health England and the council and has been advised that there is no need to close, or for any staff or students to self-isolate, because of the length of time since the individual was last in the school.

“The safety of pupils and staff is of paramount importance and all schools have safety procedures in place and follow national guidelines to limit the spread of the virus.”

Beckfoot School is an Ofsted Outstanding co-educational secondary school and sixth form, which is run by the Beckfoot Trust.

It had 1,639 pupils on the school roll at its last inspection in June 2014, with 300 of those attending the sixth form. 

Like many schools in the Bradford district (and the country), Beckfoot is undergoing a "phased reopening as per school arrangements", according to Bradford Council's school closures page.

Mr Wade said: "We will keep our school community informed of any relevant updates and continue to offer support to those affected in anyway at this time.

"The health and wellbeing of our students and colleagues remain our top priority."