Flies have infested a school – and the problem has become so severe that it has had to shut.
Escrick Church of England Primary School closed yesterday so pest control officers can fumigate the buildings.
The school, on Carr Lane in Escrick, is due to reopen next week.
Headteacher Emma Miller told YorkMix: “Since returning in September we have experienced a problem with a significant number of flies – in classrooms, the kitchen, toilet areas etc – but the methods used to eradicate the problem had not been successful.
“In discussion with a number of governors and our pest control contractor we made the decision to fumigate the school as there were increasing swarms of flies which was impacting on children’s learning and well being.
“Following the fumigation there will be a deep clean of the school and then we will open again on Monday morning.”
Escrick Primary School is part of the South York Multi Academy Trust. It was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted at its last inspection in December 2022, when it had 185 pupils enrolled, aged between four and 11.
Miss Miller added: “Children have been provided with learning to complete at home as staff are able to use the online learning platforms that we use for homework purposes.
“We look forward to seeing all the children next week and appreciate the inconvenience this has caused.”