CHILDREN have been sent home to self-isolate after a teacher at a secondary school in Colchester tested positive for coronavirus.

St Helena School confirmed the news in a letter sent to parents, seen by the Gazette.

The school said it had been in contact with Essex Test and Trace and has established the close contacts of the individual.

Children who have been in "direct prolonged contact" with the teacher have been contacted directly and have been told to stay at home for 14 days.

Fiona Pierson, headteacher of St Helena School, said: “A member of our St Helena community, has tested positive for Covid-19.

"Due to the monitoring procedures we have in place we have quickly been able to identify the close contacts as directed by the Essex Track and Trace contact centre.

"These contacts have been notified of the need to self isolate."

The school remains open to the majority of students.