School closed over swine flu worries

A school in the Black Country has been closed over fears of a swine flu outbreak, as it emerged the parent of a pupil at another school had contracted the virus.

Pupils at Shireland Collegiate Academy, in Smethwick, were sent home with letters informing their parents about the feared outbreak, and ordered not to return until next Tuesday.

At nearby Christ Church C of E School in Albert Street, Oldbury, letters have also been sent home telling children that the father of a pupil was suffering from swine flu.

Health Protection Agency workers have carried out tests on staff and students at the 1,200-pupil Shireland Collegiate Academy, in Waterloo Road, Smethwick, after a number of them reported suffering from flu-like symptoms.

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