A school was forced to close for two days after most of its teachers fell ill with suspected food poisoning. Ken Gibson, head of Harton Technology College in South Shields, closed the school on Monday and Tuesday after 40 staff called in sick. A letter sent out to parents said staff were believed to be suffering from suspected food poisoning contracted on a staff training day. South Tyneside council said the illness was unconnected to the school catering service.
