Coalville's Castle Rock School says it cannot currently operate safely at full capacity after a number of staff were told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace system.

The school says that its Year Nine students must work from home and study online this week.

Castle Rock Head of School Michael Gamble wrote to parents and carers on Sunday explaining the situation and the 'huge impact' on the school's staff numbers of the rise in coronavirus cases combined with the second lockdown.

The letter says that the school already has staff self-isolating 'due to the rise in cases or as a result of last week's change of guidance due to the second lockdown'.

It adds: "This afternoon (Sunday), we have been made aware of a number of staff who have been informed by NHS Test and Trace system to self-isolate.

"This means we are not able to operate safely at full capacity.

"Therefore, it is with regret that we are going to have to move to online learning for Year 9 from Monday, November 9, for one week only.

"This means students in Year 9 will remain at home for this coming week and complete their learning online.

"They will then return to school on Monday, November 16."

The school says this is 'not a decision taken lightly' and adds that, if the situation continues, a rota system will be put in place with a different year group working from home each week.

Mr Gamble adds: "Of course, we hope this won't continue for the rest of the term.

"We will notify all parents of future plans via email and the school website before the end of next week.

"You will appreciate this is an ever-changing situation and we will be monitoring how it develops daily.

"If we need to reduce our capacity further, we will let you know by email and via the school website.

"Please rest assured we have not taken this decision lightly. We have worked extremely hard since September to keep the school running as normally as possible.

"However, due to the already mentioned rise in cases, both nationally and in the local community, and staff being instructed to self-isolate, it has made a huge impact on staff numbers and our abilities to operate safely at full capacity.

"The health, safety and well-being of our staff continues to be paramount."