Headteacher warns hidden cost of COVID is now taking its toll in schools as surge of teachers and children succumb to illness and isolation

A head-teacher at an inner city primary says his staff are "exhausted", nearly all have been ill with COVID in the last six months, some have left Leeds to go back to family homes due to fear of being trapped alone in a city centre flat in another lockdown - while Key Stage 1 children are now three years into formal education but have not yet had a 'normal' year of schooling.

Sam Done, principal at Hillcrest Academy, near Harehills, said there had been more cases of COVID in children during the last four weeks than there had during the last two years and it was a "daily battle" just to keep school open.

Four classes have been closed in the last four weeks compared to just four having had to close in the last two years.