A SCHOOL has moved swiftly to reassure parents after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus.

St Mary’s CE Primary School sent out an urgent notification to parents this morning, following the test result, asking them to keep children in the Early Years Foundation Stage at home.

Headteacher Diane Jeffries said that thanks to 'robust procedures' in place, the school was able to close the Early Years Foundation Stage and remain open to all other year groups.

It comes a week after the school had to close a Year Two bubble after a pupil tested positive for the virus.

Schools across Bolton have been safely closing bubbles with pupils self-isolating at home ­— with lessons taught remotely.

Some have closed three or more bubbles.

Mrs Jeffries said: "Having the children back at the start of the academic year brought the school alive again, they settled in quickly and have been making rapid progress.

"It’s disheartening to close bubbles and such a shame for our children and our staff who have been enjoying their learning together.

"However, we have to follow Government guidelines for the safety of staff, pupils and their families’.

"We can’t wait to welcome our youngest children back to school and until then they will carry on with their learning remotely."

More than 200 schools across Greater Manchester have had to shut bubbles as part of plans to contain the virus.

Schools have been praised by Bolton Council''s education boss for the work they are doing to keep schools open safely so children do not miss out on their education.

Cllr Anne Galloway, cabinet member for children's services, previously said: “It is a real testament to the resilience and commitment of the heads and staff of all our schools that we have seen such high pupil attendance across the borough despite the most challenging of times.”