A number of pupils and staff have been said to be suffering from sickness and diarrhoea in recent days forcing the school to shut for a ‘deep clean’
St Peter’s Catholic School in Whitefields Road, Solihull had to shut suddenly on Friday after health officers responded to a sickness bug hitting pupils and staff and ordered a ‘deep clean'(Image: Google)
A secondary school in Solihull had to shut at lunchtime after a sickness bug swept through the school affecting its students.
St Peter’s Catholic School in Whitefields Road had to contact parents and carers on Friday (June 20) to say the school was being shut and they needed to collect their children.
The school said it was contacted by public health – now known as UK Health Security Agency – on Thursday (June 19) regarding a ‘sickness bug’.
It said it was advised to close the school immediately and carry out a deep clean.
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The Solihull school, which has around 1,300 pupils and 200 in sixth form, said it was experiencing a ‘high number of pupil sickness’.
Both pupils and staff were said to be suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms ‘over the last few days’.
The mystery bug was said to possibly be norovirus – also known as the ‘winter sickness bug’ but known to occur throughout the year.
The school was effectively told to shut and clean the site straight away with children being sent home hours early at 1pm.
By shutting the school on Friday it would then allow for the cleaning operation and for the site to be clear for 48 hours for ‘decontamination’.
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Headteacher, Stuart Shelton, said: “Following the letter from Public Heath yesterday regarding a sickness bug, we have continued to experience a high number of pupil sickness.
“We have been advised to conduct a thorough deep clean of the school this afternoon, enabling 48 hours clear onsite for decontamination. As a result, pupils will be dismissed from school at 1.00pm.
“Lunch will be provided to all pupils before leaving.
“Pupils who are offsite at an engineering or PE event will return as planned but will not be able to enter the building.
“If there are any issues with any pupils unable to get home safely at 1.00pm, please call the school office.”
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In a separate letter parents were told any child suffering from sickness or diarrhoea should stay off school and not return for 48 hours after those symptoms stop.
Pupils and staff were told they would be allowed to return on Monday (June 23), provided they followed the guidance if they have been ill.
To prevent the spread of the infection pupils were told: “Wash hands with soap and warm water after going to the toilet.
“And before preparing or eating food as a minimum. People with symptoms should also avoid preparing food for others, to reduce risk of infection spreading.”
Solihull Borough Council said it was not responsible for the school as it was in an academy trust.
Our Lady and All Saints Catholic Multi Academy Company said it did not have anyone available on Friday (June 20) afternoon to comment.
And UKHSA West Midlands has also yet to respond to the incident.