A further three schools in Harrogate have reported confirmed cases of coronavirus in their students.

It comes as six new cases have been confirmed in the Harrogate district in the last day, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 894.

St Aidan’s C of E High School, St John Fisher Catholic High School and Bilton Grange Primary School have all sent confirmation to parents that they are following protocol and a number of students have been asked to self-isolate at home for 14 days.

The headteacher of St John Fisher has confirmed two cases of coronavirus among students. Similarly to the other schools, it has asked other students who had close contact with either of those diagnosed to self-isolate at home.

Mr Mort said:

“Due to the year group bubble arrangement and fixed seating plans which we have in place, we have been able to identify and contact a small number of students who have commenced a self-isolation period of 14 days. This has meant that we have not needed to close a full class/year group bubble. We are working with Public Health England and following all guidance necessary to ensure the school environment is as safe as possible.”

It is understood at least one of the cases relates to a student in the sixth form, which is joint with neighbouring St Aidan’s.

A letter to parents at St Aidan’s said the school was working with Public Health England and had asked some students to stay at home for 14 days. Headteacher Chris Burt said:

“St Aidan’s works alongside St John Fisher in providing the Associated Sixth Form across our schools. We were informed on Wednesday of a confirmed case of Covid-19 within the schools that has resulted in a small number of students having to observe a 14 day isolation period. The schools across the Association continue to work closely with Public Health England and the Local Health Protection Team.

“We wish the student concerned a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming all students involved back to school as soon as possible.”

Just weeks into the new term some students are being sent home again in order to self-isolate.

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Earlier this week, both Harrogate Grammar School and Harrogate Ladies’ College confirmed they had students who had received positive coronavirus tests. Other students in their ‘bubbles’ are now isolating at home for 14 days.

The additional cases in schools come a day after North Yorkshire county council say it has introduced full emergency status as it deals with the rising number of cases in the county.

The authority said the highest numbers of cases are centred around the Harrogate and Selby districts.

After six months of no school, pupils heading into sixth form seem keen to get back into the swing of things this week.

Having had no proper exams for their GCSEs, students in Harrogate told the Stray Ferret that, while they are nervous, they are just hoping to be able to get back to normal as they start their A-level years.

Year 12 student, St Aidan’s High School, Harrogate

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We spoke to some of year 12s as they were going through the school gates to start their first day at St Aidan’s and St John Fisher Associated Sixth Form and, for some, they were starting a totally new school. One said:

“It’s very nerve-wracking but also very exciting to be able to have that structure back in your life. Years 12 and 13 will be separated and some teachers will be wearing PPE. I’m still nervous what will happen for my A-levels, but we just have to hope it’s all ok by then.”

Another added:

“This is my first ever day at St Aidan’s so I am nervous as I know it will be very different, but I am looking forward to meeting new people.”

St Aidan’s high school has put forward new proposals to build an artificial 3G football pitch with controversial 15-metre floodlights.

In 2016 the school submitted similar plans to Harrogate Borough Council — but withdrew them in 2019 after objections were raised around light pollution and traffic.

Objectors said the floodlights would have a negative impact on residents as well as on the Stray Rein section of The Stray.

For the school to receive grant funding from Sports England to help pay for the new facility, it must be open for community use outside of school hours.

The 2016 application stated the facility would close at 10pm Monday to Friday, which has been reduced to 8pm.

The floodlights in the new application are also telescopic which manufacturers say emit less light pollution.

Resident David Bell who lives adjacent to St Aidan’s told the Stray Ferret the floodlights will have a “dramatic” effect on his property.

He said:

“This mad rush to install 3G pitches throughout the area is having a dramatically negative impact on those living closest to the pitches due to the extended opening hours. It seems the march of the plastic pitch is unstoppable.”

The new pitch, which would be built on existing playing fields at the school, would put St Aidan’s on par with nearby St John Fisher which built its own 3G facility in 2017.

As well as being able to be hired by local football teams in evenings and weekends, the pitch would also be used by local C of E primary schools within the School’s Multi Academy Trust who St Aidan’s said have an “acute shortage” of external playing fields.

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St Aidan’s borders the Stray Rein section of the Stray and Judy D’Arcy Thompson from the Stray Defence Association told the Stray Ferret that the floodlights would “impinge upon the tranquillity the Stray affords people”

She said:

“Such widespread, obtrusive light pollution is undesirable, with the distinct possibility of damaging the Stray in many ways.”

The formal consultation period for the development ends on July 27.

The Stray Ferret has asked the agent MHB Partnership, who is working on behalf of St Aidan’s for the development, for a response which they had not provided at the time of publication.