The headteacher of a Shropshire school forced to close because more than half of the pupils and staff were absent or displaying flu-like symptoms, today said the closure had an impact on some families.

But Julie Stuffins-Jones, headteacher of Tilstock CE Primary School, near Whitchurch, said most parents felt the decision was right.

She expressed her thanks for support after the school shut temporarily last week. Mrs Stuffins-Jones said all the staff and 95 per cent of pupils returned when the school reopened yesterday.

She said it was nice to be back at the “happy friendly” school and to see the smiles on the children’s faces again.

“It was very difficult last week,” she said.

“The school was a very different place to how it was yesterday.

“We would like to say that we do recognise that the decision to close the school did have an impact on some families but the decision was made by the authority and the majority of parents here felt it was the right decision for our school at that time.

“On behalf of the governors we would also like to say thank you to the authority for the support that they have given us during this difficult time and also to friends and family of the school.”

Tim Smith, assistant director for children and young people’s services at Shropshire Council, said the decision to close the school was taken to safeguard the health, welfare and safety of the school’s pupils and staff and to restrict the spread of further infection.