A Three Towns secondary has closed for the rest of year after multiple coronavirus cases.

Pupils and staff at St Matthew's Academy in Saltcoats will not return to the school until January 2021 after a series of positive COVID-19 tests.

A letter seen by the Herald states the decision was made jointly by North Ayrshire Council and the Ayrshire and Arran Health Protection Team.

During the closure 'enhanced cleaning' will take place in the school building to prepare for staff and pupils returning on January 6, 2021.

From Monday, December 14, remote learning will be in place until end of term on Wednesday, December 23.

On Wednesday, December 9, staff and pupils were told not to come in if they had any symptoms of a chest cold to try and reduce the spread of the virus.

The academy, which has pupils from across North Ayrshire including Irvine, Largs, Dalry and the Three Towns, has been plagued by outbreaks since August.

READ MORE: St Matthew's staff and pupils told not to come in with cold symptoms

Several parents contacted the Herald concerned by the large numbers of pupils being told to self-isolate.

The Scottish Government announced today that self-isolation periods were being reduced from 14 days to 10 days, meaning anyone being asked to self-isolate after Monday, December 14, would have to be in isolation over Christmas and be unable to make use of the relaxed restrictions over the festive period without breaking the rules.

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: "Due to a further increase in the number of positive Covid-19 cases at the school and following discussions between North Ayrshire Council, NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Health Protection Team and Scottish Government, a decision has been taken to introduce home learning through to the end of this term (December 23).

"Pupils will return to the school campus on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, following the festive break.

"In the meantime, pupils will be expected to continue with their lessons remotely. The school is communicating the arrangements for remote learning directly with the young people and their parents. Pupils who require additional assistance will continue to be supported at this time."

"Today’s decision to move to remote learning for the remainder of the term is guided by our over-riding principle to ensure the ongoing safety and wellbeing of our children and staff."

NHS Ayrshire and Arran's director of Public Health, Lynne McNiven, said the health board's Health Protection Team, along with North Ayrshire Council, can confirm that a contact tracing exercise is being carried out at St Matthew’s Academy.

Ms McNiven said: "We appreciate this is a very worrying time. However, we would like to assure people that every measure is being taken to protect children and staff.

"To respect and maintain patient confidentiality it is not possible to release any further information at this time."