Four Papdale classes closed for the remainder of this week

Four Papdale Primary School classes – P3M, P6E, P7E and P7M - will remain closed for the rest of this week mainly due to COVID-19-related staffing issues and a continuous small rise in pupil cases across these classes.

The situation at Papdale Nursery remains under review – at this time (Tuesday 9 November) the setting will be closed up to, and including, Wednesday, while staff await PCR test results.

The decision was made today following an inter-disciplinary meeting of NHS Orkney Public Health, representatives of the Council’s Education Service, Environmental Health, Safety and Resilience and the School and Nursery.

The situation is being kept under constant review by those involved based on the information available each day and communications are being shared with parents as quickly as is possible.

Online learning to those pupils having to remain at home is being provided by the school.

As of Tuesday 9 November, there are 47 cases of COVID-19 among pupils and 7 cases among staff at Papdale Primary School. A further 4 staff are awaiting PCR tests or results. In total there are 13 staff off from Papdale today due to illness or other reasons.

197 pupils remain within class and a further 116 are receiving online learning out of a school roll of 441. The remainder – 128 pupils – are absent from school and this is for a variety of reasons, COVID, other illness and due to parental concerns.

The Council’s Executive Director of Education, Leisure and Housing, James Wylie, said: “It is unfortunate that we remain in the position today that we cannot safely reopen the four classes mentioned for the remainder of the school week due to COVID-related staffing shortages and the continuous slight rise in pupil cases across these classes. It is important that this messaging is conveyed to parents as soon as possible in respect of the remainder of the school week to allow them the time to make appropriate childcare arrangements.

“Head Teacher Wendy Bowen will be contacting parents now to make them aware of the decision and Nursery Manager Caroline Easton will also be updating those who use the nursery facility. We are continuing to hold daily meetings and if the position changes we will update accordingly.

“As always, I thank staff for their hard work in trying to manage this situation and parents for their understanding.”

The latest COVID-19 testing figures for Orkney covering 30 October-5 November from NHS Orkney are: 1011 tests undertaken and 134 positive results.

To book a PCR test call 01856 888211.

For more information visit nhsinform.scot