OUTBREAKS of coronavirus have been confirmed at two secondary schools in Bury.

A number of pupils across several year groups are also isolating after confirmed cases at Bury CE and St Gabriel's RC high schools.

Some 27 pupils across two year groups at Bury CE High School have been told to quarantine after one pupil returned a positive Covid-19 test.

No staff have had to be isolated, the school confirmed.

Headteacher Simon Braithwaite said: “There has been one case, and one family has used our track and trace to self-isolate for 14 days.

“We have not had to lockdown a year group and we have managed to keep all year groups in school and just isolate a small number of pupils.”

After 14 days the pupils currently isolating will be tested again and allowed to return to class if their results are negative, Mr Braithwaite said.

He added: “Because of the measures that we have got in place and the deep clean of the rooms we have done, I am confident we have taken every step we can to remove any risk.”

Just up the road, at St Gabriel’s RC High School, the entire Year 11 cohort has been forced to isolate for 14 days.

Headteacher Lisa Corrigan has reportedly confirmed that one pupil had tested positive for Covid-19 and that the school had been contacted by their family.

All other pupils should attended school as normal, she added.