STUDENTS at a Hereford secondary school have been told to stay at home and self-isolate after someone in their class tested positive for coronavirus.

Hereford Academy, in Marlbrook Road, said in a letter to parents there were "no concerns" around attending school as the student had no symptoms while around classmates.

Current rules for secondary schools mean if a case of Covid-19 is found, all pupils within the same "bubble" must self-isolate for 10 days.

Headteacher Michael Stoppard said: "We have been made aware of a member of our school community has tested positive for Covid-19.

"There are no concerns around attending the Academy and there were no symptoms whilst the student attended school, therefore, this is a precautionary measure. This case is treated as a single case by Public Health England.

"We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England."

He reassured parents that for most people, coronavirus would be a "mild illness".

"The small number of children who have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have received a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 10 days," he said.

"The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well."

With almost all Covid-19 measures set to be lifted in England from 19 July, it was announced the use of “bubbles” in schools and colleges would also be scrapped.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson also told MPs that from August 16 children will only need to self-isolate if they have tested positive for Covid-19.

His comments came after Covid-related pupil absence in schools in England hit a new record high since classes fully returned in March.

In addition to ending bubbles, Mr Williamson said it would also no longer be necessary for schools to stagger start and finish times.

It was revealed at the end of June that ministers were planning to make big changes to the current school system, and instead turn to mass testing in schools to avoid sending large bubbles of students home should one test positive for the virus.

Figures showed that in England in June, a quarter of a million children missed school in a single week due to Covid-19 infections, self-isolation requirements and school closure.

Last week, under the current system, more than 370,000 children were sent home from school.

A senior government source told The Guardian: “We will have a different system when schools return in September which combines proportionate protections when someone tests positive with trying as much as possible to keep schools open.”