Extra measures are in place at Thornbury’s Castle School following an outbreak of Covid cases.

There have been several cases across the school, most notably a group of linked cases in year 8.

The new measures, including the wearing of face masks and cleaning of tables in between lessons, have been put in place and the number of positive cases in the school has reduced.

Following consultation with South Gloucestershire Council’s public health team, a decision has been made to keep the ‘enhanced outbreak management control measures’ in place until the end of the half-term.

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that around one in 15 children in school years 7 to 11 in England are estimated to have had Covid-19 in the week to October 2.

Education unions have urged the Government to consider reintroducing extra safety measures in schools.

Ministers have urged parents to get their children vaccinated against Covid-19, but data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) suggests just nine per cent of 12 to 15-year-olds had been vaccinated by October 3.

Castle School headteacher Joe Docherty revealed the school’s position on vaccines was ‘neutral’.

“Please be aware that having the vaccine is completely voluntary and there is no pressure from the school for students to have the vaccine,” he wrote.

“Parents should discuss this issue with their child and come to their own decision about whether or not to have the vaccine.

“The school’s position on this is completely neutral.”

Asked to comment on the issue a spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: “The government’s Chief Medical Officers have advised that all children aged 12 to 15 should be offered one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to help protect them and others against the virus and help reduce disruption to their education.

“The vaccination helps to protect people against Covid-19. The vaccines are safe and effective and getting fully vaccinated is the best way of protecting you and others against Covid-19.”

Speaking about the positive cases at The Castle School they added: “Our public health team has been working closely with staff from The Castle School to manage Covid-19 infections within the school.

“This includes supporting them to introduce Enhanced infection prevention and control measures.

“The situation was reviewed last week and although case numbers have reduced, we agreed they may continue with additional measures until the end of this half term for consistent messaging to pupils.”