A WEYMOUTH school will introduce remote learning for some year groups to ‘break the chains of viral transmission in our community’ as members of staff self-isolate.

All Saints Church of England Academy, based off Sunnyside Road, has introduced the measures after a number of Covid-19 cases in Dorset, which has seen some staff unable to attend work.

As a result, All Saints principal John Cornish has written to parents and carers to inform them that they will be introducing days that Year 8 to 10 pupils will learn from home. Years 7 and 11 will attend school every day.

Mr Cornish explained that this is due to numbers of staff self-isolating and lack of supply staff able to cover absences. He also asked pupils to carry out lateral low tests on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Mr Cornish wrote in a letter: “I am writing to inform that it has become necessary to implement a period of remote working for pupils.

“This is to break the chains of viral transmission in our community and because of the number of staff who need to self-isolate.

“There is currently a county wide lack of agency supply staff to cover current absences.

“This decision has not been taken lightly and has been discussed with Public Health Dorset and Ambitions Academies Trust.

“I am sorry that there is no alternative other than to take this step and am sorry for the inconvenience that this will cause.

“I will write to you about the last week of term as soon as possible.”

According to the letter, pupils of certain year groups will learn from home on the following dates:

• Thursday, December 2 - Year 10 pupils will work from home

• Monday, December 6 - Year 8 pupils will work from home

• Tuesday, December 7 - Year 9 pupils will work from home

• Wednesday, December 8 - Year 10 pupils will work from home

• Thursday, December 9 - Year 9 pupils will work from home

• Friday, December 10 - Year 8 pupils will work from home

Mr Cornish added: “I realise that this is not the way that any of us wish to come to the end of this term, but we must have sufficient staff present every day to run the site safely.

“I continue to talk with Public Health Dorset very regularly and will send further communications as relevant.”