PUPILS at a Bolton school have been sent home and measures to stop the spread of Covid have been introduced after an outbreak of the virus.

Rumworth School, which educates youngsters with additional learning needs, has also reintroduced face coverings.

The school in Armadale Road, Ladybridge, remains open and is being supported by Bolton Council public health team.

A number of pupils are currently at home while they await their test results.

Bolton Council’s Director of Public Health, Dr Helen Lowey, said: “We are working closely with Rumworth School following recent cases of Covid-19.

“The council is supporting the school to introduce a number of additional precautions in line with the Department for Education’s Contingency Framework.

“This includes additional testing along with reintroducing the use of face coverings.

“Some children are at home while they await PCR test results, but the school remains open and children who are well can continue to attend if their parents wish.

“Precautions will be in place for two weeks and we will continue to monitor the situation.

“Schools in Bolton are a safe place for young people, appropriate safety measures are in place alongside robust contingency plans if cases increase.”

Staff at the school declined to comment on the outbreak but said the school was open.

The outbreak comes just days after after Bolton School reintroduced mask-wearing and began to hold assemblies virtually to reduce the spread of Covid after a spike in infections.

The headteacher of the school, Philip Britton, triggered a “first stage contingency response” on September 23 after an increase in Covid cases.

Mr Britton told The Bolton News: “As per government guidance we have been in consultation with Public Health.

“This dialogue is triggered once there is a cluster of five connected cases.

“We have worked well together – our focus being on keeping as many children learning in school as possible.”

Nationally, around half of children have already had Covid-19, while the rest are more likely to contract coronavirus without a vaccine, England’s Chief Medical Officer has suggested.

Professor Chris Whitty recently warned that “quite a lot of damage in terms of disruption” could still occur throughout the winter months.

Coronavirus jabs are now being rolled to children aged 12 and over.