CORONAVIRUS: Third NI primary school shuts ‘as a result of the fear and conflicting information’ on Covid-19

St Anthony’s Primary School in Craigavon will close on Wednesday this week, the school principal Mr Patrick Mallon revealed today.

It is the third school in Co Armagh to announce closures this week.

Lurgan Model PS also announced its closure until next Monday.

And Scarva PS said it was closing for a deep clean after a teacher went into self isolation and a relative of another teacher tested positive for the virus. It will reopen on Wednesday.

Mr Mallon told parents that the school would be closing on Wednesday through to Friday of this week so teachers could prepare for new virtual methods of teaching, including using ‘Virtual Classroom’ and ‘Google Teach’.

In a statement he said: “As a result of the fear and the conflicting information regarding the Covid-19 virus and with the understanding that at some pooint the Stormont Executive will take the decision to close all schools, we will be using these three staff days to allow teachers to prepare and plan work to support our children in the best way forward for a possible extended closure.

“Over the next three days teachers will have the opportunity to work within their year groups to plan and prepare resources which will ensure that your child receives the best education given the current circumstances. We strongly encourage all parents to sign up to the Class Dojo app (if you have not done so already) and keep a close eye on school texts and the school media streams for further information.

“We will ensure that you, as a parent, are kept fully informed and are provided with every possible resource to enable you to assist us to continue to educate your child.

“These are exceptional circumstances and as such we would appreciate your co-operation and continued support.”