School shut by winter bug

Parts of a Bloxwich school had to be closed today because so many staff called in sick with a winter bug.

Busill Jones Primary School closed its doors to nursery and infant schoolchildren after five teachers said they were too poorly to come in. The school is currently still open to junior school pupils.

It follows the closure of nearby Sneyd Community School until February 19 after 36 members of staff were hit by the Influenza Type A flu bug.

The bug affecting staff at Busill Jones is thought to be the Norovirus strain.

The school's headteacher Michael Fox confirmed the school was closed today for nursery and infant pupils.

He said: "We currently have five teachers off through sickness and so we have taken the decision to stop classes for nursery and infant pupils.

"However, the school remains open to junior school pupils."

Sneyd Community School is currently only open to pupils in years 11, 12 and 13 who will be sitting their GCSEs and A-Levels.

The other year groups will not be allowed back until February 19 to allow a recovery period.

Headteacher Gail Gregory said today that sickness levels were still high but some teachers were back at work. She said: "Things have improved but there are still a lot of teachers who have stayed away because they are simply too ill."

Rosedale Infant School, in Stroud Avenue, Willenhall, was also hit with the flu last week and closed to reception and infant pupils. It reopened to all pupils today.

Dr Sam Ramaiah, director of public health at Walsall Primary Care Trust, said: "We have been liaising with the schools over the outbreak of both the Norovirus which causes vomiting and diarrhoea and the Influenza Type A infections.

"A number of schools in Walsall have been hit over the last week or so although the situation does appear to be getting better. The flu bug appears to be lasting at least three days."

By Andy Richardson