A SECONDARY school is tightening its Covid procedures again after a rise in cases among staff and children.

John Kyrle High School in Ross-on-Wye reintroduced mask-wearing in classes from yesterday (Tuesday, September 28) to try and head off the spread of the virus, while sports fixtures and open days and evenings have also been cancelled.

A letter from school headmaster Nigel Griffiths sent to parents and carers on Monday said: "In line with several other local schools, we have seen a rise in positive Covid-19 cases in recent days.

"We retained more stringent measures than we had to when we reopened in September, including our one-way system, for example, but we have still seen cases rise.

"We want to take stronger action now in order to limit the impact and prevent further cases.

"From Tuesday we will tighten our protocols at JKHS in the following ways:

"Face coverings will be reintroduced, including in classes, for everyone unless they have an exemption.

"Face coverings will be needed on school and public transport. Again, this is for everyone unless they are exempt.

"The one-way system will continue to be followed.

"Staff will revert to teaching from the front of the lesson as much as possible."

The school will not close at lunchtime on Thursday, October 21, but will be a normal full school day, owing to the cancellation of open days.

"We will be asking people not to visit the school for the time being unless it’s absolutely necessary," added the head.

"Inter-school sports fixtures will also be cancelled for the time being.

"We are reviewing our provision for break-time and lunchtime eating arrangements as well.

"After-school clubs will continue, but again, be kept under review.

"Our cleaning regime was already enhanced, with additional staff working through the day. We will keep this in place.

"Teachers are making sure classrooms are ventilated by keeping doors and windows open.

"Staff will also be encouraging hand hygiene as well as ’catch it, kill it, bin it’.

"Please continue to test students at home twice a week using lateral flow devices. A further batch of these will be distributed."

Mr Griffiths said: "We will monitor the situation closely over the next few days. We hope that increasing our control measures now will allow us to minimise the spread and keep the school operating as normally as possible. Thank you for your continued support."