Weymouth town councillors Colin Huckle and Michael Frost, who represent the Weymouth West ward, are worried that pupils who have been learning remotely and now have to isolate for a further 10 days will suffer, and it is possible this will happen in a number of schools.

READ: Hundreds of pupils forced to isolate after Covid outbreaks

Cllr Frost said: "It is concerning for those students who now have to isolate again. It would have been better to wait until after Easter for the children to return as the disruption now is so great. It could be a real setback for the mental health of those pupils.

"This might be something we see at other schools."

Cllr Huckle said: "It is going to cast real disappointment on those students who buoyed themselves up for returning to school only to now have to stay at home for even longer.

"I do not think this will be the only school we see this happening in, however, I do think it is key to get students back into the classrooms as we need to take steps to get back to normality."