Try GOLD - Free
School is closed for cleaning after 260 fall ill
Western Mail
|December 08, 2025
A TEMPORARY closure has been actioned at a school after hundreds of pupils and staff have fallen ill.
-
Lee Jarvis, headteacher for St Martin’s School in Caerphilly has announced a short “firebreak” in a letter sent to parents, it has been reported.
He wrote that it followed “a significant outbreak of flu-like illness”, with online learning to temporarily take the place of in-person lessons, to allow for a deep clean to take place.
Symptoms reported by pupils and staff include vomiting, high temperatures, fatigue, cough, diarrhoea and headaches.
In total, there's 242 pupils affected, and 12 staff members, BBC Wales has reported.
The school has indicated it aims to reopen tomorrow, but that the situation “would be monitored.”
This story is from the December 08, 2025 edition of Western Mail.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Western Mail
Western Mail
Teacher's marathon effort for service which gave him 'a second chance at life' after cliff fall
A SECONDARY school teacher who survived a 70ft cliff fall as a child, will take on his first London Marathon this year, in aid of the service that saved his life.
3 mins
January 06, 2026
Western Mail
Farmers hail new law to tackle dog attacks
THE Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has welcomed new legislation that strengthens protections for farm animals in Wales and England against dog attacks.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
Western Mail
'Still shaken': Trepidation in Venezuela after shocking US capture of its leader
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has suggested the United States will not govern Venezuela day-to-day other than enforcing an existing \"oil quarantine\" — even as Donald Trump again insisted America would be in control following the removal of leader Nicolas Maduro. Meanwhile, on the ground in the capital Caracas, residents are wondering what will happen next. Regina Garcia Cano, Megan Janetsky and Juan Arraez of the Associated Press report
3 mins
January 06, 2026
Western Mail
The man aged 102 when he fathered the last of 43 children
Sixteenth-century Anglesey man William ap Howel lived a simple and unremarkable life... apart from living to 105 and fathering 43 children in a span of 81 years. Andrew Forgrave tells his extraordinary story
4 mins
January 06, 2026
Western Mail
Jealous man in chilling threat to petrol bomb ex's home
A JEALOUS man incessantly called his ex-partner after she ended their relationship and harassed her while making threats to harm her and her family, adding: \"I don't care if the kids are there
2 mins
January 06, 2026
Western Mail
Shoppers bring festive joy to Aldi
SUPERMARKET Aldi has revealed a £1.65bn sales haul over the Christmas month as price remained the “biggest priority” for shoppers.
1 min
January 06, 2026
Western Mail
Whiteout wreaks havoc across Wales – with more on the way
A MAJOR Atlantic low is on course to slam into Wales this week.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
Western Mail
Parkinson proud as he celebrates milestone
WREXHAM manager Phil Parkinson said he felt \"proud\" after his team marked his 250th game in charge with a 2-1 win at Derby.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
Western Mail
Fry aims Park at Grade 1 honours
GIDLEIGH Park will return to Ascot for the BetMGM Clarence House Chase after connections elected to bypass this weekend's Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton.
2 mins
January 06, 2026
Western Mail
Sir Keir backs Danes on Greenland
SIR KEIR STARMER has said he “stands” with Denmark after Donald Trump threatened to annex Greenland.
1 min
January 06, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size