NI school to halt classes due to covid just days after Education Minister Peter Weir visits with MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson

Mr Weir visited Lisnagarvey High School in Lisburn, alongside his DUP colleague and local MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, on Monday.

After the visit, Mr Weir wrote on social media website Twitter: “Delighted to be invited to visit Lisnagarvey High School this morning with Sir

[Jeffrey Donalson].

“Brilliant to see a school with consistently improving results and clear pastoral ethos.”

The very next day, school principal Jim Sheerin wrote to parents to announce the school would close to all pupils due to coronavirus.

“It is with regret that I have to inform you that, effective from the end of Wednesday, December 9, the school will have to operate via remote learning for all year groups,” Mr Sheerin wrote. “All pupils will not be attending school for the rest of this term.”

He continued: “This is due to an unprecedented situation involving two separate Covid cases which now sees over one fifth of our staff having to self-isolate.

“The two separate cases involving a Year 9 Class and a member of our SEN department, has today led to large numbers of staff being directed by the Public Health Agency app to self-isolate.

“All parents of any children, or any staff that have been identified as direct contacts have been notified.”

Mr Sheerin said notification of work would be given through virtual learning software, but said there are “contingency plans” for pupils due to sit exams, while some senior pupils will be “asked to attend school at specific times with a diminished timetable.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “The Minister has not been identified as a close contact in line with Covid-19 guidelines and is therefore not required to self-isolate.”