A SECOND confirmed case of coronavirus at a school has seen more students sent home and ordered to self-isolate.

Notley High School, in Braintree, says a Year 10 pupil has now tested positive for the virus and has asked students in the year group to self-isolate.

They will not be able to return until November - after the half-term break.

It is the second case of Covid-19 confirmed at the school this week.

Bosses said a small number of students were self-isolating after another case had been recorded on Tuesday.

In a letter sent out on Wednesday which revealed there had been a second case of Covid-19, bosses insisted there was no need to close the school

The letter, seen by the Times, states: "We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a second confirmed case of Covid-19 within the school.

"We appreciate you will be concerned about the safety and welfare of the children, but please be assured our Risk Assessment and procedures are robust.

"They are reviewed on a weekly basis and we will complete the process again following recent events.

"The second case involves a Year 10 student and is unrelated to the first reported case.

"We have discussed the circumstances with the Essex Test and Trace Team. They have advised us there is no requirement to close the school following the confirmation of a second positive case.

"This is due to the various control measures we have in place.

"All Year 10 students have been sent home as a precautionary measure this afternoon and a ‘close contact’ group will be asked to self-isolate until after the half term break."