SEVEN schools across the county have confirmed pupils and staff isolating amid outbreaks of coronavirus since the pandemic started. 

Before the term began, the government said closing an entire school would not be necessary and only those who have been near somebody with coronavirus should self-isolate. 

Schools have put strict measures in place to avoid the extreme - with hand sanitiser stations, one-way systems, staggered lunch breaks and the use of masks. 

Here is the full list of schools with coronavirus outbreaks since the pandemic began: 

  • Windmill Primary School 

Oxford Mail:

On Thursday the primary school confirmed a member of kitchen staff had tested positive. 

All the canteen staff are now in self-isolation and the headteacher Lynn Knapp told parents on Facebook that there is a 'negligible' chance that the virus has been transmitted through food. 

Read the full statement here.

  • Bayards Hill Primary School, Barton 

Oxford Mail:

In a letter to parents, seen by this paper, Bayards Hill Primary School in Barton confirmed last week that an employee had tested positive for the virus and was self-isolating at home. 

Pupils were not 'in close contact' with the member of staff, thought to be a cleaner, so were allowed to come in as usual.

  • John Mason School

 Oxford Mail:

Half of Year 7 at the Abingdon School were made to self-isolate after a confirmed case on September 18. 

The full year group was off the following Monday while a deep clean of the school took place over the weekend. 

Read the full statement from the headteacher here. 

  • Cherwell School 

Oxford Mail:

The Summertown school told pupils and parents that an unnamed employee had the virus on September but was self-isolating. 

At the time the school had not revealed whether the staff member was a teacher or at which of the school's two adjacent sites on opposite sides of Martson Ferry Road they were based. 

This is the full letter. 

  • Five Acres Primary School

Oxford Mail:

Year Two pupils were told to stay at home for 14 days after a confirmed case on September 7. 

Headteacher Darrell Wood told parents the case was 'within the school community' and pupils and their households would need to self-isolate. 

In March, Aureus Primary School told parents and carers that a member of its community had contracted flu-like symptoms and the school would be carrying out additional cleaning of communal areas. 

However, in line with government guidance at the time, it would not be closing. 

Only days later Heyford Park Free School near Bicester shut down following a suspected case of coronavirus in the school office and the 'short-staffing' as a result. The school is now open again.