FOREST schools will stay open and parents should continue to send healthy children to school until the summer holidays start in a few days' time.

That's the message from the local NHS Primary Care Trust and Gloucestershire County Council this week as swine 'flu starts to affect primary and secondary school pupils in the region.

The council will respond to direct questions about 'flu cases in specific schools, for example Lakers, but is refusing to give out a general list of the establishments affected and the numbers of pupils involved. The Review understands this policy is being adfopted on the advice of the Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust.

Schools which have cases of suspected swine 'flu are being asked to inform parents so that precauitions can be taken with at-risk groups such as pregnant women.

In a joint statement the organisations coordinating 'flu policy say:

NHS Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire County Council are aware of a number of cases of schools reporting pupil absence due to swine flu. As the virus becomes more prevalent in the community an increase in the number of pupils across the county displaying flu-like symptoms is to be expected.

Guidance has been issued to schools:

• If you have flu-like symptoms, stay at home and seek medical advice (via the online flu checker at http://www.nhs.uk">www.nhs.uk or calling the National Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 or contacting NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or phoning your local GP).

• Inform the school in the normal way that your child is staying at home with 'flu-like symptoms.

• Staff or children without symptoms should be in school – even if they have had contact with someone displaying 'flu-like symptoms

• National guidance is that there is no longer a need to close a school when a child is confirmed with swine 'flu.

• Schools need to continue their efforts to promote good hygiene and effective cleaning. Children should be encouraged to follow Catch It, Bin It, Kill It.

• Schools should let staff and parents know when there is a diagnosed case, so that everyone is aware of the potentially higher risks for certain vulnerable groups – this includes under-fives, pregnant women, those with low immunity and those with heart or lung problems.

•A French language student attending a summer course at Hartpury College has suspected swine 'flu. The student, who is in isolation and has received anti-viral drugs, is expected to make a full recovery.