A year one pupil has tested positive for coronavirus at a Southend school, with the whole year group sent home in a bid to stop the spread of infection.

Bosses at Thorpedene Primary School, which is based on Delaware Road, Southend, have confirmed that contingency plans were immediately put into full force after staff were notified of the positive test result.

Action has now been taken to send home the rest of the year group bubble, and parents from across all the five other SECAT schools have also been informed.

These include:

• Bournes Green Infant School

• Bournes Green Junior School

• Hinguar Primary School

• Richmond Avenue Primary School

• Shoebury High School

Ruth Brock, chief executive officer of Southend East Community Academy Trust, said: "It is correct to say that we have had a confirmed Covid case of a child in year one at Thorpedene Primary School. 

"We have planned for this contingency watching all of the changing regulations. It is a situation that has been foreseen and very well planned for.  

"As soon as we had notification, we implemented the contingency plans and moved into action sending home the year group bubble entirely as we had planned. 

"We have also notified parents of all of our children in our other five schools, so that they are aware of the developing situation.  

"Providing education for all of our children is our primary purpose and we will continue to do that in our usual way."