These four schools in Leeds are closed today due to Norovirus outbreak

The schools affected - The Farnley Academy, Richmond Hill Academy, Ryecroft Academy and The Morley Academy - are all run by The Gorse Academies Trust.

Morley Newlands and Stephen Longfellow, also both Gorse academies, were closed on Thursday, and Thursday and Friday respectively.

A message on Stephen Longfellow's website said that, after review, the school will open as normal today.

Cleaners have attended all four schools over the weekend to complete a 'deep clean' and will continue the clean today.

In a letter to parents of The Farnley Academy, principal Chris Stokes said: "As you will likely be aware, across Leeds, the Norovirus is currently rife and is impacting on children and adults across the city.

"At The Farnley Academy, we have been monitoring the situation with our own staff and students very carefully.

"We have reached a point today [Friday] where we now believe that the virus is having such an impact on our student and staff population that in order to stop the spread of the virus, a full ‘deep clean’ of our premises is required.

"We are grateful for the support and understanding of all of our families during this particularly unprecedented period and we hope that anyone that has been affected feels better soon."

When will the schools reopen?

The Farnley Academy, Richmond Hill Academy and The Morley Academy should reopen tomorrow (Tuesday).

However, a message on the schools' websites said that parents will be notified by text message if the schools cannot reopen as planned.

Updates will also be posted on the schools' websites.

Ryecroft Academy will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.

What should I do if my child has symptoms of the Norovirus?

If your child is displaying symptoms of the Norovirus, such as diarrhoea or vomiting, you are advised to keep them at home for 48 hours following their last episode of illness.

Do:

stay at home and get plenty of rest

drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash – take small sips if you feel sick

carry on breast or bottle feeding your baby – if they're being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual

give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feeds

eat when you feel able to – you don't need to eat or avoid any specific foods

take paracetamol if you're in discomfort – check the leaflet before giving it to your child

Don't:

do not have fruit juice or fizzy drinks – they can make diarrhoea worse

do not make baby formula weaker – use it at its usual strength

do not give children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoea

do not give aspirin to children under 16

stay off school or work until the symptoms have stopped for two days. Also avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time.