Meningococcal disease outbreak in Kent  Information for parents and children Dear parents/carers, we would like to share with you information from UKHSA (United Kingdom Health Security Agency) and DfE (Department for Education) to update you on the current outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease in Kent. If, after reading the information below, you have further questions, please make contact with the school and we will do our best to offer further guidance. About invasive meningococcal disease Meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) is an uncommon but serious disease caused by meningococcal bacteria. The onset of illness is often sudden and early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are vital. While meningococcal disease can affect all ages, recent outbreaks have shown that older children, teenagers and young adults, particularly those in shared settings such as schools, colleges and universities, are more likely to be affected. How invasive meningococcal disease spreads Meningococcal infection doesn’t spread very easily. The bacteria can only be passed to others after a long period of close contact, for example living with someone in shared accommodation, through prolonged kissing or sharing vapes. People may be offered preventive antibiotics if they have had significant, close contact with someone with meningococcal disease in the last 7 days. What UK Health Security Agency is doing  UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is leading a multi-agency management team to respond to this outbreak. Specialists at UKHSA are interviewing affected individuals and their families to help identify all close contacts and arrange antibiotics to limit spread. Investigations have confirmed some of the cases visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury between 5 to 7 March prior to becoming unwell. UKHSA is working closely with the nightclub and partners including the University of Kent to limit the spread. UKHSA is now advising anyone who visited Club Chemistry on 5 March, 6 March or 7 March to come forward for post exposure preventative antibiotic treatment as a precautionary measure. What you need to do There are two important actions that all students and parents can take to support management of this incident and help protect themselves. These are: Be aware and alert to the signs and symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease. Encourage uptake of preventive antibiotic treatment for those who are eligible. Signs and symptoms Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, so it’s essential that parents and students are alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. You should seek urgent medical help if you or your child develop any symptoms of meningococcal disease. a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed with a glass sudden onset of high fever severe and worsening headache stiff neck vomiting and diarrhoea joint and muscle pain dislike of bright lights very cold hands and feet seizures confusion/delirium extreme sleepiness/difficulty waking Preventive antibiotic treatment If you or your child attended Club Chemistry between the 5 and 7 March, we strongly encourage you to come forward for preventative antibiotic treatment as a precautionary measure. This can be collected from the following sites: Gate Clinic, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, CT1 3NG - open until 8pm on Monday 16 March and planned to open from 8.30am to 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 March. Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BT. Planned to be open from 8.30am to 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 March. Carey Building, Thanet Hub, Margate Northwood Rd, Westwood, Broadstairs, CT10 2WA. Planned to be open from 8.30am to 7.30 pm on Tuesday 17 March. Senate Building at University of Kent, CT2 7NZ – open until 8pm on Monday 16 March (queue closes 7.15pm) and from 9am to 8pm on Tuesday 17 March. Meningococcal disease does not spread easily, and outbreaks of this size are rare. If you have not been contacted directly by UKHSA the risk to you/your child is low. You or your child can continue to attend school or college as normal unless you have been directly advised otherwise by your local health protection team.   Vaccination There are several types of meningococcal bacteria that can cause meningitis. The current outbreak is caused by Meningococcal B (MenB). Teenagers are routinely offered the MenACWY vaccine, which protects against four other types of meningitis: A, C, W, and Y. This usually happens in school Years 9 and 10. If someone missed this vaccination at school, they can still get it up until their 25th birthday. It’s especially important to get it before starting university or college, where infections can spread more easily. You can get it by contacting your GP. However, the MenACWY vaccine does not protect against MenB, and there is no routine MenB vaccination programme for young adults.  MenB vaccination is only routinely offered to children under two, meaning children born before 2015 (when this programme was introduced) have not been vaccinated as part of their routine immunisation schedule. Because of this, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia—spotting them early can save lives. Finally, make sure that children stay up to date with all their routine vaccinations, as these offer important protection. In some outbreaks, vaccination against meningococcal group B (MenB) is used as an additional protective measure, particularly when there is evidence that vaccination can reduce the risk of late cases in affected groups. UKHSA continues to review all information to identify and assess appropriate prevention and control action. If vaccination becomes recommended as part of the response, parents will be informed immediately with clear instructions on who is eligible, when clinics will run, and what steps to take. The most important steps to take at this stage are to be alert to the signs and symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease and encourage uptake of antibiotic treatment to those who are eligible. For more information, visit the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/ or see the information available from two charities who offer free support via their websites and helplines: The Meningitis Research Foundation www.meningitis.org Helpline UK 080 8800 3344 Meningitis Now  www.meningitisnow.org Helpline 0808 80 10 388 or helpline@meningitisnow.org Kind regards, UKHSA and DfE

Do you have someone you would like to nominate for a volunteering award? This is the link to find out more and to nominate: Folkestone & Hythe District Excellence in Volunteering Awards 2026 | Kent Coast Volunteering The closing date for Nominations is - Friday 17th April 11.45pm The ceremony will be held at the Harbour Church, Folkestone on Thursday 4th June 2026. 

Urgent Advice - UKHSA contact details and response

Newsletter 10th March 2026

Folkestone is a Library

Red Nose Day - wear something funny to school. 

French Cultural Day - food tasting, activities and wear red, white and blue.

Free Second Hand Uniform available to all.

Year 1 (Cherry) class parents/ carers invited to come and watch a poetry performance.

Easter holidays