Schools are being forced into full or partial closures as headteachers deal with the loss of staff unable to come to work due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Three schools in Maidstone - Cornwallis Academy, Oakwood Park Grammar School and New Line Learning Academy - have announced some pupils will have to stay at home as a result of fewer teachers able to be in the classroom.

Tonbridge School has also announced that it will close in full at lunchtime on Saturday and move to remote learning for students from that date until the end of term on March 24.

In a letter to parents, New Line Learning Academy headteacher Paul Murphy announced that because of staff needing to self-isolate for 14 days they would be asking all pupils other than Years 10 and 11 to stay at home.

An exception would be made for those whose parents are "frontline services employees" such as NHS, police or fire service workers.

Mr Murphy said: "Following a risk assessment, we have unfortunately taken the decision to operate a partial closure of the school as a result of staff shortages.

"We have a significant number of colleagues who have had to self-isolate for the next 14 days. This will undoubtedly lead to safeguarding and health and safety risks for the remainder of the week if we continue to open as usual."

To ensure that pupils' learning is not disrupted significantly by the partial closure, work will be provided to students via the school website. Feedback on work will be provided where possible and the school want to maintain contact between families and teachers via email.

"I hope that you understand our need to adapt and be flexible..."

Mr Murphy said to parents: "I appreciate the closure will have an impact on you and your family. I am disappointed that the school has had to take this action and I apologise sincerely for this.

"However, I hope that you understand our need to adapt and be flexible to this rare and challenging situation."

The headteacher of Cornwallis Academy, Isabelle Linney-Drouet, said she was "disappointed" by the development and apologised to parents.

For the remainder of the week the school will only be open to Year 11 and 13 students. However, children of emergency staff are welcome at the school, where they can study independently, and staff will make "every effort" to supervise them.

Oakwood Park Grammar School announced its partial closure on its website. Year 9, 10 and 12 students will stay home and have work sent to them online.

Years 7, 8, 11 and 13 are attending school as normal, although the day will finish at 2.45pm.

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