Education | Posted on May 15th, 2026 | return to news

Ferndown school closes following sickness bug outbreak

Ferndown Middle School has shut early to prevent the spread of illness suspected to be norovirus.

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A local school closed on Thursday and Friday following several reported cases of sickness and diarrhoea among staff and students. The cause of the illnesses is suspected to be norovirus.

Ferndown Middle School decided to close early for the weekend to allow thorough cleaning of the school and to prevent the further spread of infection to others.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is working with Dorset Council following the suspected outbreak of norovirus. Norovirus is a stomach bug that is highly infectious and can easily be spread via close contact to an infected person, touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, or eating food that’s been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus.

According to UKHSA, if norovirus is introduced into places where lots of people congregate, such as schools, nurseries, hospitals and care homes, the illness can spread quickly and affect vulnerable people.

Sarah Bird, consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA South West, said: “We are currently working with the school to provide guidance to reduce the risk of ongoing infection from likely norovirus infection.

“Norovirus infection leads to diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal or stomach cramps that people tend to recover from quickly. If affected, it is important to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

“To reduce the risk to others, stay off nursery, school or work, avoid preparing food and minimise direct contact with others until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.

“Do not visit your GP but do contact them if your symptoms continue for more than a few days. Babies and young children with norovirus can still drink milk.

“The most effective way to respond to illness is to clean and disinfect contaminated areas very thoroughly and to institute good hygiene measures including hand-washing. The school have taken these measures and issued advice to children, parents and staff.”

The outbreak has occurred in the middle of exam season, disrupting SATs for Year 6 pupils.

Alysia Dolan, deputy headteacher at the school, said: “We are speaking with the Standards and Testing Agency about what can be done for those who have missed the tests because of the school closure.

“We anticipate everything being back to normal on Monday.

“I also want to thank the school community for their support whilst we manage the situation.”

For more information about norovirus, including symptoms and how to treat it at home, visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/norovirus.