The headteacher of a primary school in south Oxfordshire has spoken out after its kitchen was forced to close following a mouse infestation.

South Oxfordshire environmental health officers issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice on the kitchen at Sonning Common Primary School last week after officers found a dead mouse next to the servery area, and mouse droppings throughout the kitchen and food storage areas.

Mouse droppings found during the inspectionMouse droppings found during the inspection (Image: South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils)

READ MORE: Mouse infestation closes Oxfordshire primary school kitchen

The notice means the kitchen had to close, and will remain closed until officers deem the health risk has been removed.

The food business operator, Kites Kitchen Limited, cater for children attending the primary school and also provide meals for the associated pre-school.

Chris Hurst, headteacher of Sonning Common Primary School, said: "I would like to give parents and pupils reassurance that we are working closely with Kites Kitchen and have acted swiftly and robustly to tackle the pest control issue, whilst ensuring pupils continue to have access to meals.

"Kites Kitchen have complied with all the measures required by Environmental Health officers and pest control professionals.

"All food preparation areas, crockery, cutlery and cookware are thoroughly cleaned before and after use.

"Food is stored in sealed containers, and there has been no suggestion that food has been contaminated.

"Pest control officers are attending the school frequently, with visits on July 17, 19 and 22 and a follow-up on July 26.

"They will continue with frequent visits until all traces have been eradicated. 

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"The kitchen and associated areas will be professionally deep cleaned during the summer vacation.

"Kites Kitchen operate to the highest standards and their food hygiene rating has consistently been the top possible score.

"We are confident that we will soon be able to operate as normal."

Leigh Rawlins, councillor for Sonning Common, said: "It’s a village school, its catering is outsourced. I understand that caterer has previously done well, and been rated well, and clearly a mouse got in and they are taking action necessary to sort it out.

"It was right for the officers to take the action they needed to take, in the greater shape of things I'm not sure it is something to be overly worried about, and I certainly don’t think parents or anybody else should think badly of the school or even of the caterers.

"Clearly there has been a problem, and it's been dealt with."

The school remains open until the end of term (Wednesday, July 24) and is making alternative arrangements for catering until the issue is resolved.

The school caters for over 300 children a day, ranging in age from two to eleven years old.

In a statement, Kites Kitchens said: "Kites Kitchen Ltd have been providing school meals to Sonning Common Primary School and other provisions on the same site since September 2011.

"We have always been proud of offering the highest quality service, healthy and nutritious meals, and catering for many and varied dietary requirements for the pupils in the schools.

"Each year we are inspected by the council Environmental Health Officers in a routine unannounced visit, and each time have achieved the highest hygiene rating of 5 for our cleanliness and well managed kitchen.

"At no point over this time has there been any issues with pest control.

"When inspected this year on Monday, July 15 a problem was discovered.

"As a result, we have cooperated fully with the council officers and all the restrictions around use of the kitchen.

"We have acted swiftly and the kitchen and whole building are now under a rigorous pest control regime to deal with the problem.

"Kites Kitchen are grateful for the support of the school which is in a rural area, and the kitchen is part of an old building.

"This, along with the relentless wet weather have been contributing factors.

"We were advised by Environmental Health that we would have again received a rating of five without this problem.

"This is a difficult time, and every measure has been taken to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.

"We anticipate being back in operation following the period of intense pest control and deep cleaning of areas affected during the summer break.

"We are also grateful to all the children, parents and staff who have continued to show support in the last few days."