A SIXTH form student at a County Durham school has tested positive for Covid-19.

The student of Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy, at Birtley, is said to have experienced no coronavirus symptoms but tested positive after being in contact with someone with the virus.

Those youngsters who had been in close contact with the student have been traced and asked to self-isolate and get tested and families are asked to remain vigilant.

Principal Andrew Fowler said the student involved attended the academy on Monday, September 7 and had not been in since.

The academy was informed of the positive test result on Thursday afternoon.

He said the school has a series of measures in place to make it as safe as possible but it is preparing in case home-learning becomes necessary.

In a letter to students and parents, Mr Fowler said: "The risk to other students and staff is considered to be low.

"The school has consulted Public Health and is monitoring the situation closely. Further updates will be given if and when the situation changes.

"Gateshead is seeing high numbers of cases of coronavirus just now.

"Lord Lawson has put a number of measures in place, including staggered break and lunch times, reorganised classrooms, restricted movement of classes, a one-way system, face coverings in communal areas, social distancing where possible, year group bubbles and frequent hand sanitising.

"Additional staff are on duty to help students follow the rules. We are also getting ready to teach remotely via Microsoft Teams, if this becomes necessary.

"We ask parents to monitor their children very closely, and as families to observe all precautions and not to gather in social groups.

"The student who tested positive had no symptoms, but had been in contact with another person who tested positive for coronavirus."