The decision was taken following advice from health officials
Alex Driscoll Breaking news reporter
19:03, 10 Dec 2025Updated 19:07, 10 Dec 2025
Budehaven Community School.(Image: Google Maps)
Outbreaks of flu and Strep A have shut an entire secondary school and sixth form in Bude.
Budehaven Community School in Cornwall, just a few miles beyond the Devon county border, has closed for the rest of the week in hope of halting the “unprecedented” spread of illness.
The 1140-pupil site will sit empty while pupils return to lockdown-style online learning tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday, CornwallLive reports.
Its planned Christmas concert tomorrow has also been postponed and will be rearranged for next week, when normal classes should resume.
Posting on the school’s Facebook page, headteacher Dominic Wilkes told parents: “Following a careful risk assessment regarding the current unprecedented and increasing incidences of Influenza (Flu) and Group A Streptococcus infection amongst our pupil, Sixth Form student, and staff populations, we have consulted with Cornwall Council leaders, the school’s Chair and Vice Chairs of Governors, and the UKHSA regarding the situation.
“In order to mitigate the risk of further infection, it has been agreed by Cornwall Council and the Chair of Governors that we will move to a remote curriculum for all year groups for Thursday and Friday this week using SPARX English, maths and science for Key Stages 3 and 4, and appropriate work will be set for Sixth Form students by teachers.
“This will mean that all pupils, and Sixth Form students will be working from home for the next two days.
“A communication will be sent out this afternoon regarding how to access our remote learning provision.
“We hope that this measure, that has not been taken lightly, and has been taken following guidance from UKHSA, will help to reduce the spread of illness.
“We intend to return to the normal in-school learning provision on Monday 15th December.”
The statement did not state how many cases had been recorded. CornwallLive has contacted health authorities for more information.
Strep A is a common type of bacteria that can also cause flu-like symptoms. Nationally the so-called ‘K strain’ of flu is causing huge pressure on the NHS already this winter, with an early surge in cases driven by the new variant.
Many people have reported coming down with symptoms that seem more severe and longer-lasting. The first of this winter’s NHS situation reports shows the number of people in hospital in England with flu is more than 50% higher than the figure at this point in 2024, PA reports.