A UNION representative has said teachers are facing an ‘horrendous’ situation as Covid cases hit schools in Furness.

Chris Brooksbank, the National Education Union secretary for Cumbria, said teachers were facing a difficult period as new cases of the virus were confirmed in Barrow schools.

At least three schools in the area have recorded cases of the virus.

Newbarns Primary School leaders said on Friday that it would be closed until Friday to allow for a deep clean to be carried out.

It is understood that year 11s from St Bernard’s Catholic High School were sent home and will attend lessons digitally.

Mr Brooksbank said: “It’s horrendous for teachers

“Teachers want to be teaching.

“Teachers are finding it stressful and difficult. They are having to make decisions that are in areas they do not have expertise in.

“And they are at risk - we have had teachers dying in Barrow.”

He accused the government of an ‘astounding’ lack of preparation for pupils’ return to schools.

He added: “It’s a real difficult situation.We knew this was going to happen.

“They seemed to have been push, push, push I’m not 100 per cent sure that’s the best solution.

“The key thing schools know they have to do their best to keep people apart.

Figures published by the Department of Education yesterday showed that the number of schools sending home pupils had quadrupled in the past week.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson welcomed that 99.9 per cent of schools were open, but said: “As we would expect, this data shows a small number of pupils are self-isolating in line with public health advice.”

He said schools were working ‘tremendously hard to ensure protective measures are in place to reduce the risks of transmission’ and they had ‘access to timely advice and support through our helpline if they have a positive case’.

Based on attendance last Thursday, figures showed four per cent of schools not fully open because of confirmed or suspected cases - up from 1 per cent the previous week. This could mean about 900 schools across the country sending home pupils.