Wolverhampton school forced to shut amid outbreak of flu
An outbreak of flu closed a Wolverhampton primary school today, forcing hundreds of pupils to stay at home.
City council education chiefs said St Andrews CE Primary School in Whitmore Reans would remain closed all day due to the outbreak.
The school has 360 youngsters on the roll and six members of staff and 53 pupils have contracted the bug. Staff who are not ill were told to go into work despite the building being closed to pupils.
Tim Westwood, Wolverhampton City Council's assistant director for schools, skills and learning, said: "St Andrews CE Primary School has taken the decision to close to pupils today following an outbreak of influenza amongst children and staff.
"The school has liaised with the Health Protection Agency and tests are being carried out to identify the strain of influenza. The school will be open as usual to all staff well enough to attend today and it is hoped to reopen to pupils as soon as possible."
On the council's Facebook page some parents criticised the move to close the Coleman Street school, with one saying they had only been told late yesterday afternoon.
