11:10am Thursday 9th July 2009
SIX Swindon schools were last night suspected of falling victim to swine flu – but Swindon Council has refused to name half of them.
Dorcan Technology College has told parents a school employee has been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus.
Parents of children at Goddard Park Primary School have also been informed a pupil is being treated for flu-like symptoms.
The Adver reported yesterday that a support worker at Swindon Academy was suspected of having the virus.
A Swindon Council spokesman said: “Goddard Park and Dorcan have confirmed cases.
“There are four schools with suspected cases, but we can’t release the names of those schools until we can be sure that each school has had the opportunity to inform parents directly.”
Parents have reacted with a mixture of shock and disbelief to news that the virus has affected their children’s schools.
Kathy Lovegrove, whose 12-year-old son Jamie attends Dorcan Technology College and suffers from epilepsy, said: “I was quite shocked to hear about swine flu at the school.
“You hear about it on the news happening elsewhere but you always think it is never going to happen here.”
Mrs Lovegrove, 42, of Marlowe Avenue, Park North, said: “I am so worried as colds and stomach bugs trigger off his epilepsy. I am concerned about sending him to school. I don’t know whether it is one of his teachers or not.”
A mother-of-four, whose children are pupils at Goddard Park Primary School, said: “I have friends who are refusing to send their children to school.
“As parents we need guidelines. Of course I am worried as the last thing I need is swine flu in the house.
“I am trying to be sensible about it but many people can’t believe the school is not closed.”
Scott Sissons, headteacher of the technology college, in Welcombe Avenue, sent letters to parents informing them of the issue on Tuesday.
On the same day Goddard Park head Mike Welsh told parents: “As a result of being unwell, a child at Goddard Park is now being treated with Tamiflu, the drug used to treat swine flu.
“Having taken advice, we have decided to keep the school open as normal.”
Goddard Park operational head Beverley Mann refused to confirm the suspected case of swine flu at the school when the Adver spoke to her yesterday.
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