A SCHOOL has shut to all pupils except for the children of key workers after a spike in coronavirus cases in the local area.

The Baird Primary Academy in Hastings made the announcement on its Facebook page this morning.

A spokesman said: "We are very sorry to announce that we are closing the academy except to keyworker families.

"We will be contact with all parents and carers shortly regarding the arrangements for home learning."

The Argus: The number of coronavirus cases in Hastings has increased significantlyThe number of coronavirus cases in Hastings has increased significantly

He later added: "We are shut now until the end of term and therefore will be providing remote learning until the end of the day on Thursday, December 17.

"We will welcome all pupils back on Tuesday, January 5."

The school said a letter would also be sent to parents with further details of the closure.

This comes after the coronavirus rate in Hastings tripled in just seven days.

READ MORE:

The town recorded the second greatest increase in its weekly coronavirus rate of all the local authority areas in England in the latest figures.

In the seven days leading up to November 28, there were 65 confirmed cases of the virus in the town, giving it a weekly rate of 70.1 new cases per 100,000 people.

We are very sorry to announce that we are closing the academy except to keyworker families. We will be contact with all parents and carers shortly regarding the arrangements for home learning.

Posted by The Baird Primary Academy on Thursday, December 10, 2020

But in the most recent figures covering the seven days leading up to December 5, there were 185 new cases in Hastings, giving the town a rate of 199.7 cases per 100,000 people.