A-LEVEL and post-16 students at a school sixth form are all self-isolating after a positive coronavirus case.

Thornleigh Salesian College has told its Year 12 and 13 students that they must self-isolate in a letter sent out on Friday.

Today the Astley Bridge school has sent out another letter after a number of students in Year Eight tested positive for coronavirus.

Sixth-form students will be allowed back into school on Monday ­— but Year Eight will not be in until the beginning of next month.

In Friday's letter the school stated: "I can confirm that we have had a positive case in the Sixth Form and so in line with government and local authority guidance, students do need to self-isolate. I can also confirm that, despite some rumours to the contrary, the positive case had not been in attendance at college this week.

"Therefore the period of isolation for Year 12 and 13 will end on Friday 25th September meaning they can return to college on Monday 28th September (Friday 25th September is an inset day)."

Students will still follow their usual timetable and lessons, which will be 'zoomed' live by their teachers.

The letter, signed by the headteacher Andrea O'Callaghan adds: "I fully appreciate how disruptive this situation is but I am confident that we can continue to fully support all students during this period."

Year Eight pupils will self-isolate until October 5 and will be taught remotely.

Mrs O'Callaghan states in the letter: "I fully appreciate how disruptive this is for your child and family and I hope that you understand that it is not a decision that we wanted to take."

Schools across Bolton are having to close 'bubbles' after positive coronavirus tests, with a number of schools having to close more than one year bubble.