AN under-fire Bromsgrove school has confirmed a second case of coronavirus – as parents claim the school and public health chiefs are not taking the matter seriously enough.

The Advertiser reported last week that ‘an individual’ at South Bromsgrove High School – the district’s largest school with more than 1,300 pupils – had tested positive for Covid.

Now it can be revealed a second person at South Bromsgrove, on Charford Road, has also been confirmed to have the virus, leading parents to question the school’s isolation policy.

The Advertiser understands only ‘close contacts’ of the positive cases have been asked to isolate, rather than whole year groups or ‘bubbles’.

South Bromsgrove High says it is following Public Health England guidance with its decisions.

However, irate parent Jon Stevenson took to Twitter to question PHE.

He said: “Can you tell me why some schools in the West Midlands close whole school years when they get a confirmed case of Covid-19 yet other schools send home the children who sat in close proximity to the confirmed case?

“My daughter goes to a school where they are only sending home kids in close proximity. There is no social distancing and the infected child would have had full run of the school – as we know, Covid can live on hard surfaces for days.”

Another parent, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted the Advertiser with concerns over the safety of pupils and relatives.

“They think the school is safe enough for the amount of pupils there – they don’t care about the fact people they go home to can become very ill. This disease is a killer,” the parent said.

“No one, not even the staff, wears masks, the one-way system on the stairs is a joke, the pupils get on coaches and buses without masks.”

A statement from Worcestershire County Council said: “A further individual from South Bromsgrove High School has tested positive for COVID19. The school continues to be supported by Public Health.

“Close contacts have been identified and traced, they are now also self-isolating for 14 days in line with guidance and will continue their learning through remote access.”

In a separate statement, Chris Smith, headteacher at South Bromsgrove High School, addressed parents’ concerns.

He said: “In line with Department for Education guidance, we have not made the wearing of face masks or coverings mandatory, but we are supportive of staff or students who wish to do so.

“This is something that we keep under constant review.

“We have liaised with the local authority in relation to the expectations for students travelling on buses/coaches and communicated this to parents and carers.

“We have introduced measures such as different start and end times to the school day, staggered breaks and lunches, regular hand sanitising and a one-way system around the school building to reduce congestion.

“We have been incredibly impressed with how our students have adapted to these new routines and all of our staff are working hard to reinforce the new expectations.”

Public Health England has been approached for comment.