Fairisle Infant & Nursery School has brought in environmental health experts after around half of the pupils were reported sick with a virus

It is understood around half of the pupils at Fairisle Infant and Nursery School have been reported sick after contracting a stomach bug in the last week.

Now the Head teacher, Susanne Ottens has contacted parents to say they will be cleaning the whole school to reduce risk of infection.

The letter said: “You may be aware that there has been some sickness in the school over the last few days.

“The school is working with the local Environmental Health service to investigate the cause of this illness. We have arranged for additional cleaning to be carried out to reduce the risk of any further infection.

She added: “Please can I remind parents in line with advice from Public Health England that children with symptoms should be excluded from school until 48 hours after their last episode of sickness. This is because symptoms can sometimes restart and children can introduce infection into the school.

“Please rest assured that the school is taking the appropriate steps to provide a healthy environment for the children.”

One parent told the Daily Echo that at least 29 children from the Reception year alone had not been able to come into school and some classrooms of 30 were down to just nine pupils yesterday.

Southampton City Council have confirmed that the school has not closed.

Symptoms for the virus include vomiting and diarrhoea but the council has not been able to determine how many children are currently off with the bug as a spokesman said that some children may have been sent home as a precaution.