Black Torrington Primary School was at the centre of an area affected by the disease and was closed for a week during the height of the crisis earlier this year. The inquiry by Devon County Council heard how the rural school's staff and 24 pupils were 'living and breathing foot and mouth' and that 'everyone felt the pressure and uncertainty of coping with the disease'.
Headteacher Mark Raven said, 'There were times when we had to talk about death with the children and give them time to express their feelings, be that through artwork or words. The children seem to have come through it all right, but we are still concerned about how it may affect them in the future.'
He also expressed concern over the lack of available information from central Government and the local education authority. 'I felt the lack of direction and advice was most disappointing,' Mr Raven said. 'People were looking to the school for information and we couldn't provide them with any, as we were not getting any support ourselves.
'We felt totally isolated and were receiving no feedback whatsoever from the LEA. We also contacted the Ministry of Agriculture, Farming and Fisheries (MAFF), who were at best vague with their advice, and the information on Government websites was not specific enough for our situation.'
The issue of transporting children was of particular concern in the county as confusion mounted over whether foot and mouth disease could be carried on vehicle tyres, and the school was unable to acquire the recommended disinfectant.
Mr Raven turned to fellow headteachers and school governors for advice and discussion of the issues. A joint decision was reached to close the school for a week to show support those directly affected by the outbreak and enable families to be together during the difficult period.