Two year groups with a total of 123 pupils and 12 staff are off school - and may miss the end of half-term - following positive Covid-19 tests.

Children and staff in Years 5 and 6 at Abbots Green Academy, in Bury St Edmunds, are now self-isolating at home for 14 days after one pupil and four staff members tested positive for the disease.

MORE: The schools in Suffolk where there have been positive coronavirus testsIt is understood Year 5 were sent home on Friday, October 9, and parents received the letter about Year 6 yesterday, October 14.

The school confirmed Year 4 students are also at home until next week due to staffing issues.

MORE: Essex school closes for two weeks after a number of staff and students get coronavirusHeadteacher Ang Morrison said: “We can confirm that we have had to close our Year 5 and Year 6 bubbles due to positive Covid tests. We have a total of 12 members of staff isolating and 123 pupils.

“On top of this, we took the brave decision to close our Year 4 bubble today (Thursday) and tomorrow.

“This is not in relation to Covid, but a commitment to an excellent education for all - we have been very unfortunate with staff illness and felt the best course of short-term action was to ask Year 4 pupils to home school.

“This is of course all deeply regrettable with positive cases at the same time as staff picking up typical autumnal bugs.

“But it is important that we continue to act quickly showing how seriously we are taking the situation, in addition to the quality of education - both in class and at home - that we are committed to offering. “Our staff have been exceptional in getting home school lessons and videos ready, going above and beyond our ‘rainbow’ values for all pupils throughout the school. “I would also like to thank our parents who have been both realistic and supportive.”

A letter sent to parents about Year 6 said: “There is no requirement for other members of the household to self-isolate, so all other children should attend school as usual.

“Whilst this is disappointing for children in Year 6 to be missing school, this is an essential measure to look to reduce spread of the virus.”

MORE: Fresh plea for free school meals to be extended to half term and ChristmasLast month a total of 58 pupils at Abbots Green had to self-isolate after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.

All staff and children in the Year 2 ‘bubble’ were asked to isolate for 14 days following notification of the incident on September 14.