Castle Rock School has reported that almost half of its teaching staff has been off work this week - mostly after being told to self-isolate through Track and Trace.

A letter from Julia Patrick, CEO of the Apollo Partnership Trust and Executive Secondary Headteacher, the situation will still be 'unmanageable' at the start of next week.

It means the school is asking its Year 7 pupils to stay at home on Monday and Tuesday - and urging families to follow lockdown guidelines.

The letter, sent to parents and carers yesterday (Thursday), reads: "Firstly, thank you to everyone who has been so kind and considerate in supporting our difficult decision to ask two year groups to work at home on-line this week.

"Unfortunately, we have 49 per cent of our teaching staff off this week with the majority of these informed through Track and Trace to self-isolate.

"I am sure you will agree that this is very frustrating for us all.

"Staff have been careful to implement mitigation processes to protect themselves and students against the spread of Covid-19.

"Although positive cases have been contained to small pockets of students, it has impacted greatly on our staffing capacity.

"Therefore, I would politely ask that parents and carers ensure that lockdown guidance is adhered to.

"Households should not be mixing.

"We appreciate how difficult this second lockdown is on us all.

"Numbers of positive cases are rising within North West Leicestershire and as a community it is imperative that we work together to slow down the spread of this virus.

"Many staff will start to return to school from Monday, but the situation will still prove unmanageable at the start of the week.

"Therefore, can we please ask that the Year 7s work on-line from home on Monday and Tuesday only, they should then return to school as normal on Wednesday 25th November.

"Year 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 students are to remain in school as normal, unless they have been told to self-isolate.

"Again, many thanks for your continued support during this extremely difficult time.

"To students and staff who have maintained a positive teaching environment and are doing their very best and to you as parents and carers who have ensured that students complete their on-line working, thank you."