Congleton High School shuts for deep clean after pupil sickness

A secondary school in Cheshire has been closed to carry out a deep clean of the building due to high levels of illness among pupils.

Congleton High School has told parents and staff it has contacted the UK Health Security Agency and infection control experts regarding a “number of flu cases”.

The letter states that the school will be closed for two days from Wednesday while a deep clean is carried out.

The statement said parents will receive an update on Thursday to confirm whether the school will reopen on Friday.

The UKHSA health team advised vulnerable or immunocompromised pupils or staff to seek medical advice and said they “may have been exposed to influenza or another respiratory infection”.

The letter said: “As we are currently unable to open, we have implemented a plan to continue learning effectively.

“Work will proceed according to the normal schedule if employees are ready for this.

“A range of learning activities will be established… any additional support for teachers in lessons will be provided via Teams message or school email.”

The school said students were expected to participate in remote learning both days if they were healthy enough to do so.

Staff will conduct “safety and welfare checks” as needed, it added.

Congleton High School said it had made the decision to close on Wednesday and Thursday due to a number of cases of flu-like illness at the school this week and following discussions with the UKHSA Health Advocacy Team and Infection Control Team.

Cheshire East Council said it is liaising with the school to understand the impact on staffing, but at this stage the majority of absences are pupil-related.

It said contingency plans had been put in place to maintain safe staffing levels.

“We know this is a worrying time for parents, but flu and similar illnesses are common during the winter months,” said Professor Rod Thomson, the government's director of public health.

Vaccination was the most effective way to protect children and society, the professor said, adding that if your child is sick, keep them at home and follow NHS advice.

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