CHILDREN are expected to return to a Wirral primary school tomorrow, Wednesday, after they were forced out by an infestation of mice.

Three classrooms were closed at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary in Wallasey after the discovery of droppings – linked to mice, rather than rats as originally thought.

Pest controllers were called to the school in Wheatland Lane following an assessment by Wirral council officers, with 60 pupils forced to move out of their usual learning environment.

Forty foundation year pupils who used the affected classrooms were moved to nearby Brentwood Early Years Centre while a further 20 pupils were accommodated elsewhere in St Joseph’s.

Wirral Council told the Globe every effort had been made by the headteacher and staff to reduce disruption for the children, who were expected to return to their usual classrooms on Wednesday morning.

Affected classrooms have been “deep cleaned” and disinfected – including all carpets and surfaces – ready for the return of pupils.

The school has written to parents, informing them of the problem.

One, who asked not to be named, told the Globe: “My friend has kept her children out of the school, because she doesn’t feel it’s right to send them in with rodents running around the place.”

Headteacher Kathryn Vernon said: “Wirral Council Pest Control found no evidence of rats, but did find mouse droppings, so it was important that we investigated properly and acted on any advice given.
 

“Our key priority is the well-being and education of our children so we temporarily relocated some classes to make sure they could continue their lessons, accompanied by their usual teachers.”

“Mice droppings were found in a few areas but I would like to reassure all parents that the majority of the school was unaffected so there was no cause for concern regarding children being taught in other classrooms.

“We take the health and safety of children extremely seriously, and have taken all of the necessary steps to deal with this problem thoroughly so that the foundation pupils can return to their usual classrooms.”