A GLASGOW primary school has been hit with a widespread sickness bug among staff forcing the cancellation of upper school classes.

Merrylee Primary School on Friarton Road will be closed to pupils in primary four to seven tomorrow after 12 staff were hit with the sickness and diarrhoea bug.

Glasgow City Council say senior staff will be drafted in from the education department to help run the school for primaries one to three. 

Parents have been notified via text. 

Glasgow Times:

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “Merrylee Primary School will be closed to primary four to seven pupils tomorrow due to widespread sickness among staff.

"Twelve staff are currently ill with sickness and diarrhoea.

"Senior staff will be drafted in from the education department to help run the school for primaries one to three tomorrow.

“Apologies for this unavoidable inconvenience, however, please make alternative childcare arrangements tomorrow if your child is in P4 to P7 at the school. Notice has also been given via the school’s text messaging network and social media.

“We hope to reopen the school to all pupils on Tuesday.”

Parents have hit out at the decision on social media demanding to know why there is no supply staff available to cover the shortage.

Katie Kean said: "Surely this can't be right. That means two of mine can go and one can't.

"Either shut the whole school or get teachers in. How do they know this on a Sunday as well?"

Sandie Gray added: "Don't they have supply teachers now? That seems quite ridiculous."

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman added: “There is a national shortage of supply staff and the education department can’t guarantee that they’ll be able to get the numbers required in these exceptional circumstances and at short notice.

"Pupil safety is our top priority and that is why the decision has been made to close the school to P4 to 7 tomorrow.”

The Evening Times previously said that a highly infectious vomiting bug has been reported in schools across the country, with parents being warned to know the general signs and symptoms.

Shigellosis causes chronic diarrhoea and sickness, so parents should know how to spot the signs.

You can read more here