Ferndown Middle School will remain closed till next week after pupils and staff reported sickness symptoms linked to norovirus.
The UK Health Security Agency is working with Dorset Council after a number of children and staff at the school developed sickness and diarrhoea symptoms. The school, which is part of the Southern Education Trust, shut early for the weekend so a deep clean could take place and help prevent the illness spreading further.
Sarah Bird, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA South West, said the organisation was providing guidance to help reduce “ongoing infection from likely norovirus infection”. She said symptoms can include “diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal or stomach cramps” and most people recover quickly.
People with symptoms are being advised to drink plenty of water and stay away from school, nursery or work until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped. UKHSA also warned against preparing food or having close contact with others during that time.
The agency said good hygiene and “hand-washing” remain the most effective ways to reduce the spread of infection, particularly in places such as schools where illnesses can spread rapidly.
Deputy Headteacher Alysia Dolan said the closure came while Year 6 pupils were sitting SATs. She said the school was speaking with the Standards and Testing Agency about support for pupils who had missed tests because of the closure.
She added: “While the school is empty tomorrow and over the weekend it will be thoroughly cleaned and we anticipate everything being back to normal on Monday.”
THATS MY SCHOOL