DENE Magna School in Mitcheldean will be closed tomorrow after 130 students were absent today due to a viral sickness bug.

Staff and students were asked to stay away from the school yesterday if they presented symptoms of a vomiting bug but headteacher Stephen Brady has had to take drastic steps, including professional sterilisation, to combat the illness.

“I am writing to advise you that we will have to close Dene Magna tomorrow, Friday January 27,” the letter from Mr Brady read.

“I have consulted with Dr Weiss, our chair of governors, and the local authority, who both advise that we close the school to allow at least 48 hours for the bug to subside.

“Sadly, the number of students, and now staff, with the sickness bug has increased and today we have over 130 students off school and a number of staff.

“As I write this there are students and staff coming down with these symptoms.

“I am very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you tomorrow, but hopefully you will understand that this will allow us to get a professional team in to sterilise and clean the school and should allow 48 hours for any bugs to clear from the system of our students and staff.

“We will be open again on Monday January 30 and we hope that by then this will have passed and we can get on with our learning.

“To indicate the size of the problem, we normally have less than 20 students off in a day.

“We pride ourselves on the school staying open in adverse conditions, but sadly there comes a point when common sense has to prevail and the health and safety of our school community must come first.

“Can I thank you for your support in this and look forward to seeing you on Monday, hopefully bug free.”