Swine flu shuts 400 pupils out of Boldon school

Jul 9 2009 by Nicola Juncar, The Journal

MORE than 400 pupils had to be kept at home today as their school closed after a swine flu outbreak.

Two teachers at Cleadon Village Primary, near Boldon, have been diagnosed with the illness, while several others have fallen ill with flu-like symptoms.

The head and chair of governors decided to close the school, as there weren’t enough teachers left to cover all the classes and it was too short notice to arrange supply staff.

Reception class children had to be sent home yesterday due to the staff shortage.

Earlier this week, a handful of pupils at were diagnosed with swine flu and a number of others were absent with similar symptoms.

It is not known how long the school will have to be closed and parents are being asked to check South Tyneside Council’s website – www.southtyneside. info – for details. Headteacher Jane Beckett said: “The situation is under review in conjunction with the local authority and Health Protection Agency.”

The council confirmed the cases and said those affected were being treated with antiviral medicine, Tamiflu.

The closure comes as several schools have been forced to take action after being linked to swine flu.

A student at Cramlington Learning Village has been diagnosed with swine flu and is staying at home, though the school stays open.

Headteacher Derek Wise sent a letter to colleagues and parents.

The letter says: “In line with the current treatment only policy in the UK, school closures and the distribution of antiviral medicines for prevention are no longer normally recommended due to the virus being widespread within the community.