TEACHERS at a Bradford school have been given strict instructions not to be “drawn into conversation” with parents about whether or not it is safe for pupils to be in school.

Instead, staff at Chellow Heights Special School (West) in Heaton have been told: “You can tell them (parents) only that we are working with Public Health England and that they have advised us on how to make the school safe for pupils. We are following this to the letter.”

The Telegraph & Argus understands that an email, sent by headteacher Sue Haithwaite, went on to instruct staff that: “You should not give your own opinion of what you think.”

The email, which also warned staff that they would be “dealt with under breach of confidentiality” if they shared its contents with anyone not working in the school, was sent to staff shortly after the T&A ran an article revealing details of a positive coronavirus case.

The story did not allude to any details about the child’s identity, class or bubble (pictured below).

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A source also claimed the headteacher visited each teacher in class on Monday to say “jobs are on the line” after the initial leak of information about the positive case.

Responding to the claims, Ms Haithwaite said: “The welfare of our pupils is our top priority.

"We sent a letter via an urgent email that one of our pupils had tested positive, this was also followed up by text message to inform all parents as soon we were aware that there was a case involving a pupil at our school and to let them know what steps were being taken.

“In all such cases we follow the advice and guidance that we receive from Public Health England. It is school policy that staff do not discuss individual pupils with third parties and breach a child’s confidentiality. We do not comment on HR matters.”