A SCHOOL with 300 pupils was closed on Monday after a pupil contracted swine flu.

Verwood CE First School has been closed until Tuesday, June 30, after a year four boy was confirmed as having the virus.

It is believed that he had been abroad and fell ill on his return home. The child is now fully recovered.

Parents collecting their children yesterday afternoon were met by head teacher Adam Parsons, who broke the news to them.

One father said all children in year four were being offered the drug Tamiflu.

Another man, who had collected children from the school, came out clutching supplies of the drug and said he was feeling positive that fast steps had been taken.

He said: “The Primary Care Trust has supplied us with appropriate medicine.”

In a statement on the school’s website, parents were told: “The chances of infection are limited. However, we feel if there is a possible risk that more of our children could become infected then this is a risk we are not prepared to take.

“We appreciate all the organisational difficulties that this will bring to you over the week and we thank you for your understanding at this time.”

NHS Dorset said in a statement: “NHS Dorset is working with the Health Protection Agency and other partners after it was confirmed that a pupil at Verwood Church of England First School had tested positive for swine flu.

“Following this occurrence, the school has taken the decision to close for a week from the end of school today. Pupils in the child’s year class have been treated with anti-viral medication as a precaution.

“Parents of pupils attending the school have been notified of the situation and advice is being provided regarding the symptoms of swine flu.”

The news came days after the first confirmed cases of swine flu were confirmed in Dorset. Holidaymaker Marie Duchan and seven-year-old daughter Tia were taken ill while staying at a holiday park in Weymouth, although she believes she may have picked up the virus in Birmingham.