ST CLEMENT’S & St John’s CE Infant School has become the latest to confirm it will remain closed.

The school, in St Clement’s Road, will close “due to the continued spread of coronavirus in the community”.

A letter sent from headteacher Mr Poole to parents said: “I regret to have to inform you that St Clement’s and St John’s CE Infant School will be closed to all pupils (except vulnerable children and children of ‘key workers’) from Tuesday January 5, 2021.

“This is due to the continued spread of coronavirus in the community. The number of staff unable to come to work is so high that it is no longer possible to safely open the school to all pupils.

“I am sorry to have to inconvenience our families in this way but I’m afraid it really is not possible to safely run the school with such low staffing levels.

“At this stage, it is not possible to state exactly when pupils will be able to return. I will review this situation on a daily basis, along with closely watching how things take shape nationally, and I will ensure that parents are kept up to date.”