A SCHOOL has closed two of its year groups after coronavirus advice over self-isolation caused staff shortages.

Years 8 and 9 at King's School in Hove have been told to stay at home as a result.

Each year group at the school has approximately 125 pupils.

A spokesman for the school said: "A communication went out to all parents and carers on March 16 to inform our school community that we will be closed to all students in Year 8 and Year 9 from Tuesday to Friday, March 27, due to staff shortages arising from government advice on self-isolation.

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"Year 7, Year 10 and Year 11 students should continue to attend school as normal.

"We do apologise for the disruption these challenging times are bringing."

Following the coronavirus outbreak, the school has cancelled all trips in March and April this year and say it is "in discussions with the trip operators and insurers with regard to the processing of refunds".

The spokesman added: "Trips scheduled to take place after April 2020 are under review. We are monitoring and discussing the situation with the trip operators and insurers."

Large-scale events are also being managed.

The spokesman said: "We are looking at large-scale events hosted by the school over the next few weeks on a case-by-case basis. 

"We are making decisions and assessing risk by considering the type of activity, the profile and number of people, and the geographical range.

"This is understandably difficult and changing daily.

"We acknowledge the planning and organisation that goes into many of these events and please be assured we will let you know as soon as we are able if it's deemed that they can't go ahead.

"We will update parents with regard to forthcoming talks and parents' evenings as required, again balancing the need to monitor and review whilst providing parents with sufficient notice of any cancellations."

But the school is taking "all reasonable steps" to prevent closure. Despite this, it is putting plans in place to "provide continuity of learning using remote learning tools".