DOZENS of pupils from two Dorset schools are self-isolating after pupils tested positive for Covid-19.

Students from the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester and Atlantic Academy on Portland have had to self-isolate and return to remote learning this week after pupils tested positive for coronavirus.

Twenty-five students and five member of staff from the Thomas Hardye School are self-isolating after two Year 9 pupils tested positive for coronavirus.

The students and staff members are expected back at school on Monday, June 28.

Assistant head and Covid co-ordinator at Thomas Hardye School said: "Two pupils in Year Nine have tested positive. The positive cases have not come about from being in school, they can be attributed to something outside of school.

"Twenty-five students and five members of staff have all been deemed close contacts and were sent home.

"We have had a few cases but for the size of the school, we have been reassured that what we have put in place has been affective.

"We do act quickly as soon as we hear anything. We have seating plans all uploaded on our computer systme and we can identify close contacts so we can get people out of the school as soon as possible."

READ MORE: Students of Atlantic Academy, Portland isolate after Covid case

On Wednesday, 40 students from Atlantic Academy were told to self-isolate after one Year 8 pupil tested positive for coronavirus.

The students are expected back at school on Friday, June 25.

A spokesman for Atlantic Academy said: “One Year 8 student has tested positive for Covid after returning to school from half-term break. Forty students are now self-isolating and have resumed online learning.“They are all expected back at school Friday June 25th.’’

Sam Crowe, director of public health for Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole councils said: “We are aware that a number of schools in Dorset have received confirmed cases of Covid-19. These schools are working closely with Public Health Dorset, Dorset Council and Public Health England South West to ensure that all necessary measures are being met.

"All close contacts of the confirmed cases have been notified and need to self-isolate for 10 days. Contacts of the confirmed cases should get tested if they go on to develop symptoms. Even if people test negative, they must still self-isolate for 10 days."