Pupils find dead mouse in library of Sunderland school weeks after vermin scare

In November 2019, parents raised concerns after videos began circulating on social media of rats on the Academy 360 site.

Now the school has confirmed a dead mouse was found in the school’s library on Monday, January 13.

One parent, who asked not to be named, told the Echo: “My daughter was there when they found what looked like a dead rat. One of the girls saw it first and squealed.

“She said some people were running away from it while others tried to take pictures before teachers intervened and it was covered and then taken away.

“I think a lot of the children were upset by it. My daughter asked me to take her coat to the dry cleaners because it had been on the floor not far from where it was found. She’s really more disgusted at finding it.

“Nothing really mentioned for weeks but now this has been found.”

In November, the Pennywell school was closed for a number of days for a deep clean due to a sickness bug outbreak.

At the same time, the school also confirmed sightings of vermin in ‘our community’ and looked to reassure parents and students that there was no threat to children’s health.

Now Academy 360 has confirmed a small mouse was found in the library earlier this week and a deep clean has been carried out.

A spokesman for the Laidlaw Schools Trust, which runs the academy, said: “We continue to be vigilant regarding vermin in our school and have the highest possible standards of cleanliness to ensure the health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff.

“Like any other open public building on a green site, small animals seek shelter and occasionally make their home where it is warm. Although there have been no recent sightings of rats, a small mouse was found dead in the library on Monday.

“Following this, the library was immediately closed and subject to a deep clean, Rentokil was called and confirmed a clean bill of health”.