An Ipswich high school has asked a form class to self-isolate after a student tested positive for coronavrius.

Northgate High School in Ipswich has confirmed that a student tested positive yesterday.

After seeking advice from the government the school has now asked one class to stay at home for 14 days in a bid to protect the rest of their pupils and staff members.

Headteacher Rowena Mackie said the situation was “upsetting and frustrating” for everyone at the school.

She said: “Northgate High School was notified of a positive case of Covid-19 in one of our students yesterday.

“Having taken advice from the Department for Education, the East of England Health Protection Team and the local authority, and undertaken a risk assessment, it was decided that in order to reduce the risk of further spread of Covid-19 within the school community that a form group would be asked to stay at home to self-isolate.

“This is upsetting and frustrating for our students and school community.

“Since returning to full time education for all students on September 3 our students have been very sensible and followed our school risk assessment, but the virus is so contagious that we felt we must take this action to mitigate risk and ensure the safety of all at Northgate.”

It has not been revealed which year group the form class is from.

The news comes just weeks after Samuel Ward Academy in Haverhill was forced to completely just one week after the return from summer holidays when five members of staff tested positive for the virus.

The school is set to reopen on Monday following the outbreak.

However an investigation is to take place to see how the transmission of the virus happened – and to determine what contact may have taken place between the affected members of staff and all pupils, staff and wider school community.

Andy Hunter, of Samuel Ward Academy in Haverhill, said: “It is very unfortunate we should have had an outbreak of Covid at all, let alone so early after coming back to school.

“However, this has shown that our systems for dealing with an outbreak are robust and effective. Students and teachers have taken to the new systems very quickly and very effectively.”