School closes as 50 children hit with virulent sickness bug
A small village school has been closed due to the large number of children off ill today (Friday, January 31). Some 50 of the 136 children at St Briavels Parochial C of E Primary School in the Forest of Dean have a 'virulent sickness bug'.
In a bid to stop the bug spreading, the school has been closed to enable a deep clean to take place. Last week, Deerhurst and Apperley Primary School, between Gloucester and Tewkesbury, also closed for a deep clean due to 38% of pupils being off ill.
In a message sent out to parents and carers today via Gloucestershire County Council, St Briavels said: "Due to 50/136 children absent with a virulent sickness bug, we are closed in order to deep clean the school and prevent any further spread.
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"Children in Poppy class who are out on a trip, this will continue as planned. Please collect your children from the coach at the end of the day."