School children enjoy delayed Children in Need fundraiser after Jarrow primary reopens following norovirus closure

St Mary’s RC Primary school, in Jarrow reopened on Monday, November 18, after being forced to close due to a norovirus which affected a third of the school.

The school, which has over 200 pupils, was forced to send children home on Thursday, November 14, and remained closed on Friday, November 15, while the building underwent a deep clean from an industrial cleaning company.

The decision was taken due to the high number of reported absences from pupils and staff and after listening to advice from Public Health England, who were consulted throughout the week.

The site has now reopened as normal with children taking part in Children In Need fundraising activities they missed out on Friday.

Executive headteacher Marie Graham, who made the decision to close the school last week, said: “School reopened today after a deep clean of all areas in school and nursery. As the children missed out on Children and Need Activities they have all returned happy to be dressed in non uniform and offering donations for this great appeal.

“Good hygiene continues to be promoted in school, some children are still absent however numbers of absences are very low.”

Norovirus, also called the "winter vomiting bug", is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about two days.

The bug quickly swept the school last week, leaving many staff and pupils too unwell to come in.