ANOTHER school in north Essex has reported a positive Covid-19 case.

Nicky Patrick, the headteacher of Spring Meadow Primary School in Dovercourt, has issued a letter to parents explaining the actions the school has taken since receiving the positiver result.

The school was informed of the case from the Essex and Southend Tracing Services on Friday afternoon.

During the weekend the school reviewed its risk assessment and protective measures, and Mrs Patrick said she is now “confident” all necessary measures are in place.

The school has been able to self-isolate the single class bubble connected to the case and keep the rest of the school operating as normal.

Mrs Patrick’s letter, sent to parents and carers on Sunday, said: “I have reminded all staff of the need to maintain a safe distance from the children, so please don’t be surprised if your child tells you that their teacher is marking in a different way or asking them to do more things independently.

“There may also be occasions when school staff may wear a clear plastic visor when close to your child for a prolonged period of time.”

She said the school has had new arrangements in place for the start and the end of the day which the majority of parents have followed.

“The vast majority of parents have been absolutely brilliant at following those guidelines, but you will be aware that I have been concerned about large groups of adults and children gathering at drop off and pick off time,” she added.

“Please be reminded that all parents and carers must leave the school site immediately after dropping off or picking up your child, even if this means returning later to collect another of your children from a different class.

“Please expect to be asked to move on if you are not adhering to this procedure.”

Children are now not allowed back into school after the end of the day to go to the toilet or collect items which have been left behind.

Mrs Patrick added: “I am afraid this is not possible going forward as we cannot have unsupervised children wandering around the school using toilets allocated to other classes or coming into contact with children from other bubbles.”

The symptoms of Covid-19 are a new persistent cough, a temperature of 37.8 degrees or above, a change in sense of taste or smell.

Government guidance states anyone with symptoms of a Covid-19 infection should be checked out by booking a test.

Symptoms such as a runny nose, or sore throat do not need a test unless they are accompanied by any of the symptoms above.

Mrs Patrick admitted in the letter, there have been “significant difficulties” in obtaining tests recently and explained the school has no tests left.

“However, we are here to help so please do get in touch in you are struggling to access a test,” she added.

The positive result comes days after Ravens Academy, in Clacton, announced a teacher became infected with Covid-19.

As a result, some pupils and staff, who potentially came into contact with the individual who tested positive, were asked to remain home for two weeks.

Parents were informed of the positive case via a letter from the headteacher Valerie Rose.

Earlier this month, an entire class of pupils and six members of staff from Heathlands Primary School, in West Bergholt, were sent home to self-isolate after a classmate tested positive for coronavirus