TWO students at a Chester high school have tested positive for coronavirus as part of a "randomised national testing programme".

The Bishops' Blue Coat in Great Boughton confirmed yesterday that all staff and students deemed to have been in contact with the affected pupils – one in Year 8 and one in Year 11 – had been notified.

The school said that although the two students were asymptomatic they had tested positive for Covid-19 through the randomised testing programme.

In a message to parents and carers, it said: "This afternoon (November 17), we were informed that a student in Year 8 and Year 11 had tested positive for Covid-19.

"At this stage, we immediately engaged with guidance from Public Health England to trace a small number of contacts from Year 8 today and Year 11 contacts from Friday, Monday and today.

"Although asymptomatic, these positive cases were identified through a randomised national testing programme.

"The timing of such an event is always difficult but this period for Year 11 includes two inset days and will allow focused study for the scheduled practice exams.

"Our particular thoughts and prayers go to some of our Year 8 families whose child had only just returned to school only to again be contact traced.

"All students and staff who are deemed to have been a contact have been notified this afternoon.   

"We appreciate that Bishops’ has done well to negotiate this far into term with few confirmed cases and wish to assure the whole school that we are doing all we can to follow the guidance and ensure we mitigate the risk as far as we reasonably can.       

"Information has been provided to parents to guide remote learning and we are all grateful to parents and students for their ongoing understanding, vigilance and patience with the measures to balance the safety of those in our school community with the importance of learning."