Rats claim closes Ross-shire school kitchen
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A ROSS-SHIRE primary school kitchen was closed today (Thursday) amid reports of rats being seen at the premises.
Pest control experts were called in to investigate after the alert at Ben Wyvis Primary School in Conon Bridge.
A letter was sent home in children’s schoolbags yesterday informing parents of the situation.
In it, headteacher Rita McDade said: "The school kitchen will be closed tomorrow as pest control need to further investigate evidence of vermin around the kitchen area."
Mrs McDade said instead of a hot meal, pupils would be offered a sandwich, home-baking, fruit and a drink. This would be prepared by staff at Dingwall Academy.
She added: "We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause on the last day of term."
Parents at the 240-pupil school have voiced their concern.
Local Highland councillor Alister MacKinnon, who has a child at the school, told the North Star: "Nobody seems to know if it’s serious or not, but it’s of great concern to me as a parent.
"I’m currently trying to find out what the problem is and when it started. I don’t know if it’s an issue with hygiene, drainage or rubbish or what.
"I think we need more information because it’s of concern in a school kitchen."
However Highland Council said in a statement: "The headteacher made the decision to close the kitchen as it was claimed parents had seen rats outside the school building.
"Pest control visited the school yesterday and although there was evidence that vermin had gained access to a stroe room where some packaging was chewed, they concluded that there is definitely not an infestation."
The spokeswoman said bait and traps had been laid and those were being checked to see how the vermin may have entered the building.
Other preventative measures were taken such as putting food in plastic containers and storing food on high shelves.
She said the pest control officer found no evidence of vermin in the kitchen or servery, and added: "The school's maintenance officer and the pest control officer will monitor the situation through the holidays."
Local councillor Angela MacLean said she was happy with the action taken by the headteacher and the council, and stressed that the kitchen had been closed as a precaution.
