Frome College has sent a letter to parents telling them there are confirmed cases of coronavirus at the school, but, in line with current guidance, it will remain open.

However a planned special attainment evening is being moved on-line.

The college said it had been informed by Public Health England (PHE) that there have been "confirmed cases" although they do not specify how many.

In advice offered to parents it added that if your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, to book a PCR test. You can book a test via the NHS (www.nhs.uk) or by calling 119.

If the test result is negative, your child can return to school once they are well and have been fever free for at least 24 hours.

On Friday the college will be hosting the Somerset NHS coronavirus vaccine team offering vaccines to students aged 16-18 who have not yet been able to get the jab.

The closest centre to Frome when the vaccination programme was opened up to this age group was previously a drop in centre in Melksham.

The letter states: " Students in this age group do not require parental consent to receive the vaccine, however it would be very helpful to have the conversation with your children about the benefits of the vaccination to help them make an informed decision about whether to have the vaccine or not. "

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Students at the college can book a jab via the Frog education link.

Meantime in an update to parliament today (September 22) England's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty has said about half of children have already had Covid-19 and the rest are more likely to get it without a vaccine.

Prof Whitty told MPs: "Let's make an assumption that the great majority of children who've not currently had Covid-19 are going to get it at some point over the next period.

"It won't be necessarily in the next two or three months but they will get it sooner or later."