Hundreds of pupils who attend a school near Glasgow were isolating yesterday due to covid. 

The Glasgow Times understands that 405 of St Ninian's high school in Kirkintilloch's 850 roll did not attend classes on Tuesday with many awaiting negative PCR tests. The figure represents more than half of the school roll. 

Andrene Bamford, the vice president of the EIS teachers' union and local secretary for East Dunbartonshire, told BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime programme: “St Ninian's High School had 405 pupils off, which is 45% of the overall roll of the school.

“Obviously they won't all be because of Covid but it is an indication of the high levels in the community just now”

"Half the pupils are in class, half are at home - it is really unsatisfactory.

"It dilutes the ability to deliver high-quality teaching and learning."

East Dunbartonshire Council today confirmed that they were aware of a school with a high absence rate.

Ann Davie, Depute Chief Executive - Education, People and Business, said: "With the incidence of COVID-19 increasing across communities in Scotland, we have a number of cases affecting our schools, with pupils self-isolating at home following a positive test or if they are identified contacts.

"We can confirm that at one school today there is a high absence rate. The vast majority of absences are from students who are isolating while they await PCR test results. Following some positive cases in the school this week, many families are adopting a cautious approach and booking PCR tests.

"Schools are working with parents and carers to minimise disruption to learning for those pupils who may require to self-isolate.

"All Scottish Government and public health guidance is being followed in schools across East Dunbartonshire. Robust and enhanced control measures continue to be in place in all schools - including appropriate cleaning and social distancing."

Speaking to Clyde Radio Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer praised St Ninians for their swift preventative actions and used the opportunity to call for more testing services in suspected covid hotspots.

Glasgow Times:

Pictured: Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer calls for more covid testing

He said: “St Ninians pupils, staff and their families should be praised for taking this cautious approach in the face surging infections.

"When there was an outbreak in the Southside of Glasgow earlier in the year we saw public health teams go door-to-door to offer testing, which identified and contained the outbreak.

"A similar approach should now be taken in Kirkintilloch and the surrounding villages, to provide much-needed reassurance for the community."

The news comes as Scotland experiences a surge in covid numbers with a total of 6170 new cases reported yesterday.