main content Temporary closure of Hayes Primary School

Parents have been advised that the school will re-open on Monday 17th July following completion of the specialist clean and advice from the Health Protection Agency and Environmental Health.

All children and staff who have had negative test results will be able to return, unless they have a sibling who has tested positive. The teaching staff were keen for those children that are able to return should feel reassured about their school before the summer holidays. Particularly important was for year 6 children to have the opportunity to meet up with friends and staff before they leave for secondary school.

A total of 40 cases have been confirmed, with all initial testing complete and no further probable cases at this time. It has not been possible to trace the source of the infection to date.

The Council continues to be grateful to parents, children and staff for their cooperation and patience during what has been a difficult time.

7th July 2006

The Council is continuing to work closely with the Health Protection Agency and Hayes Primary to re-open the school. Contract cleaners have been commissioned to undertake a 'specialist clean' of the school buildings, fixtures, fittings and equipment. Any equipment that cannot be cleaned effectively will be disposed of. The contractors will be working extended days and throughout the weekends. However, it is estimated that to complete the clean to the required standards of the HPA and Environmental Health will take approximately ten days. Therefore, it will not be possible to re open the school until at least Monday 17 July 2006.

38 cases have now been confirmed with two more probable cases.  Council environmental health officers are currently trying to identify the source of the infection. As it is possible we may not locate the source, the health protection measures – including closing the school whilst it is deep cleaned – are vital to help reduce the possibility of person-to-person transmission.

There are two factors to be considered before a decision can be made to open the school. Firstly, the school needs to be verified as a ‘clean’ environment. Secondly, a sufficient percentage of staff need to be confirmed as clear of any E.coli infection to enable pupils who have also been ‘cleared’ to return.

Parents of children at Hayes Primary School will receive a letter updating them on progress.

Statement - 4 July 2006
The Council is continuing to work with the Health Protection Agency and the School in controlling the recent outbreak of E Coli 0157, finding the source of the infection and offering advice and support to the school family.

Further information about E Coli 0157 from the Health Protection Agency.

Meetings between the Council’s environmental health officers and contractors and suppliers are taking place and deep cleansing measures have been implemented to help facilitate the earliest reopening of the school.

Over 500 sampling pots have been collected which are now being tested. Swift and extensive sampling has brought encouraging results, reporting 22 confirmed cases, 9 presumptive cases and 2 probable cases (presumptive and probable results will be re-tested with results available 4 July 2006).

The Council would like to thank all parents, children and staff at the School for their support and patience while the school remains closed.
The Council’s priority remains the safety and protection of the school community and if necessary the temporary closure will be extended by a further week.

30 June 2006
On 27 June Hayes Primary School informed us of a number of cases of diarrhoea and vomiting at the school. Following a joint investigation by our Environmental Health Team and the Health Protection Agency, one of the cases has been confirmed as E Coli O157, a severe form of gastroenteritis. As a precautionary measure and in consultation with the school and Health Protection Agency, the school has been closed to help prevent the spread of person to person infection.

A Council spokesperson said:

"The Council's Environmental Health Team is working closely with the Health Protection Agency's investigation. The Council's priority is to protect pupils, staff and the wider school family, while minimising disruption to school activities. As a precaution the Council has taken the decision to close the school for one week, with effect from 30 June 2006. The Council will continue to advise and support the school through the on-going investigation."

Parents have received letters advising them of the the situation. A further letter will be sent towards the end of next week regarding the re-opening of the school.

ENDS

Media enquiries to:
Katherine Lewis, Regional Communications Manager, Health Protection Agency, London
020 7759 2824
katherine.lewis@hpa.org.uk

All other enquiries to: 020 8313 4088