POOLE'S Magna Academy has announced its closure for a fortnight – after two members 'of the school community' tested positive for Covid-19.

A statement from Aspirations Academies Trust, which runs the secondary school at Ashdown Close, confirmed the closure will take effect from Monday, October 19.

One of the weeks will fall within half term.

A spokesman for the trust, speaking this evening, said: "We have been directed to follow this course of action by Public Health England this afternoon because of the members of staff who will have to self-isolate having come into contact with the two positive cases.

"This means there would be an insufficient level of staff to teach students next week."

The spokesman went onto say it had been a very difficult decision to take and "we apologise for the disruption this causes."

However, the trust says it is obliged to follow the advice of PHE .

The statement continued: "The wellbeing of our students and staff is also of the utmost importance to us.

"The guidance provided at this stage does not indicate that any students will need to self-isolate as a result of the two cases identified.

"Remote learning will resume on Monday through Google classroom and teachers will also be in contact to discuss lesson plans. There will be further guidance and support for any students not able to access remote learning.

"One week of the school’s closure will fall as half-term which further minimises disruption to learning."

A deep clean of the school and its site is underway.

Staff and students are now scheduled to return to Magna Academy on Monday, November 2.’