Sunderland school closed for second day as deep clean carried out following sickness bug outbreak

Academy 360, in Pennywell, will be closed for a second day while a deep clean is carried out of the site after a ‘significant’ number of children fell ill with symptoms linked to the flu and norovirus – also known as the winter vomiting bug.

The school was set to reopen on Thursday, November 21, but the headteacher has now announced it will be closed for a second day.

Academy 360 has confirmed a cleaning company has been at the site throughout Wednesday and will return on Thursday – with the school aiming to reopen on Friday, November 22.

Parents of students who are showing symptoms such as a fever, sore throat of vomiting are told not to let their child to return to school until they have fully recovered.

A second letter to parents by headteacher Rachel Donohue, which was posted on social media, says: “Unfortunately, due to the significant number of students reporting symptoms including fever, sore throat and vomiting, Academy 360 will be closed for two days, starting Wednesday, November 20.

“This will allow us to complete a further deep clean of the school and enable us to reopen the school on Friday, November 22.

“If your son or daughter begins to display any symptoms similar to those mentioned above, it is essential that they do not return to school until they have fully recovered.

“I apologise in advance for inconvenience this may cause however I am sure you understand the reasons for this closure.

“Please note primary parents evening will be cancelled and rearranged at a later date.”

The school also posted on it’s Facebook page: “Special thanks to Rentokil, our professional Deep Clean, who have arrived to clean our school following a recent increase in the winter bug.

“We take your child’s health very seriously. Thank you for your support!”

According to latest Ofsted figures, more than 800 students attend both the primary and secondary school.