JCoSS is to shut its site for most pupils a week early and teach the final days of term remotely in order to cut the risk of students beinge exposed to coronavirus before the winter break.

Headteacher Patrick Moriarty told parents that a recent case in year 8 at the cross-communal secondary school “reminded us of the possibility of further infections at any time, with large numbers of isolations required”.

Cases were “on the rise in secondary schools nationally and locally, and if any came in the last week of term it could force staff and students into isolations lasting well into the winter holiday. It would then be impossible for them to take advantage of the relaxation of restrictions from 23-27 December.”

Some families were concerned “about visiting relatives and friends when students have only days before been in a school building with 1,500 people”.

Remote lessons will take place from Monday week till the scheduled end of term on the Thursday but the school will remain open for the children of key workers or those with educational and healthcare plans.