Sandwell school shuts to swine flu fear

A Sandwell school has been closed until next Tuesday over fears of a swine flu outbreak.

Pupils at Shireland Collegiate Academy, in Waterloo Road, Smethwick, were sent home with letters informing their parents of a four-day closure.

Bosses confirmed that a number of members of staff and students at the 1,200-pupil school have reported "flu-like symptoms" and tests have been carried out by the Health Protection Agency, with results expected next week.

Jane Evans, associate principal at the school stressed that there are no confirmed cases of swine flu at the school, but that it will remain closed until Tuesday as a precaution.

She said: "HPA took the precautionary decision on Tuesday to sample some of the students and staff who are currently absent, and to take swabs.

These are now being tested and we will know the results by next week.

"Additionally, we also have a significant number of staff absent. This means that operationally it is becoming increasingly difficult for the remaining staff to cover classes and deliver quality lessons.

"As a precautionary measure, whilst these operational difficulties remain and until we know the outcome of the HPA investigations, we will close the academy for Thursday, Friday and Monday.

"At this stage there are no confirmed cases of swine flu in the academy.

"We will keep the Parent Portal updated with any further information as we receive it."

External exams will continue in school while the closure is in place, with students told to report to the playground at the normal time.

Swine flu has been confirmed in one child at Dudley's Dawley Brook Primary, with another case at Brier School in Kingswinford.

Both children have recovered and are back in school.

A spokesman for the Health Protection Agency confirmed that the school is closed and said daily risk assessments will be carried out.

They could not confirm the number of students and staff tested.

Sandwell Council confirmed all other schools in the borough are open as normal.