‘Clinically vulnerable’ Loxwood dad fined for isolating child at home after virus cases at school

Steven Etheridge, who had Type 1 diabetes, said he decided to home-school his six-year-old for the two-week self isolation period in order to reduce the risk of her bringing the virus home.

He said: “It’s one thing skiving, and another thing trying to protect your family when your health is at risk.”

The 44-year-old was informed on November 12 that there had been cases of coronavirus confirmed at Loxwood Primary School in the two year groups above his daughter.

While pupils in those year groups were sent home for two weeks, he said he was surprised that their siblings in lower years were still able to come to school.

“It didn’t seem to make much sense,” he said.

His daughter was supposed to remain in class, but he said it was ‘a no brainer’ to keep her at home.

Steven, who also has a ten-month old baby, said he was particularly concerned about the risk to his own health because a close friend who also has Type 1 diabetes fell seriously unwell after contracting the virus.

“If I didn’t have anybody so close to know about it, then I probably wouldn’t be so worried,” he said.

Steven explained his situation to the school but said their response was ‘pretty negative’. “As far as they were concerned, the school was safe.”

He said he did not want his daughter to be homeschooled full time.

“It’s far healthier for her to be at school, around people her own age. It’s certainly not something we wanted to do,” he said. “We felt there wasn’t much choice.”

Steven and his wife have both been fined £60 each, a charge that will rise to £120 if left unpaid.

But Steven, a wedding photographer who saw his work dry up due to the pandemic, said they were not intending to pay and has set up a fundraising page in order to fight their case.

He said parents should be allowed to temporarily home-school their children while there are cases at their school.

“In all honestly, two week’s worth of education compared to a human life is a very small price to pay,” he said.

A school spokesperson said: “Throughout the pandemic, our school has worked tirelessly to ensure pupils and staff are safe while they continue their invaluable work and learning.

“When we were informed about the positive cases, we followed the advice received from the Department for Education Helpline in regard to which pupils and staff needed to self-isolate.

“As this child was not part of a bubble required to self-isolate, we advised the family that the expectation was that all other children should attend school.

“Following the government’s clear guidance and expectation on school attendance, the resulting absence from school was not authorised.

“This position was supported by the local authority.”

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “The school has followed the Department for Education guidance in their response to positive cases and their expectation and actions in regard to school attendance and unauthorised absence.”