Ballakermeen High School is asking some year groups to work from home, due to ’very high’ levels of staff absences caused by ’general respiratory illnesses'.

The government warned that last week that it would not rule out telling whole year groups to work from home.

Ballakermeen stressed to parents that for now this measure would be for next week only, with there having been no other way to meet the shortfall, and having been unable to place a teacher in every classroom.

Year 10 will work from home on Monday and Tuesday, and Year 9 Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Students, staff and visitors are also being ’strongly encouraged’ to wear face masks in the school.