NORTHUMBERLAND County Council is continuing to support schools across the district in ensuring Covid safety for pupils and teaching staff still attending.

It follows an anonymous source contacting the Courant alleging that teachers at Highfield Middle School, in Prudhoe, had been told the school was unsafe and they should stay at home - a claim the school's headteacher Richard Oades denied.

Now, the executive director for adult and children's services at the authority, has insisted that the wellbeing of pupils, staff and visitors to schools is priority.

Cath McEvoy-Carr said: "We continue to work closely with schools to support them with their Covid-19 risk assessments - ensuring they are in line with government guidance and that all Covid secure measures are in place.

"The Health and Safety team meet regularly with school leadership teams to support and advise on any necessary adjustments to risk assessments and measures, with the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, pupils and visitors at the forefront of any decision making."