False widow infestation forces NINTH school in London to close as fears over venomous arachnids grow
Primary and secondary schools across London have been forced to close after Britain's most venomous spider took over
A NINTH school has been forced to close due to an infestation of venomous false widow spiders.
John F Kennedy Special School in Newham, East London, has become the latest to shut its doors - closing both its campuses in Stratford and Beckton.
The giant spiders typically move indoors as temperatures drop over the UK, and they have caused chaos across London in recent weeks as they've taken over schools.
A statement on the school’s website said: "JFK School (both sites) is closed now until further notice. This is to allow treatment to get rid of the false widow spiders that were found.
"We apologise for the inconvenience and short notice but the safety of students and staff is vital to us."
A TANGLED WEB: The schools to close across East London as false widow spiders move in
- Lister School
- Star Lane Primary
- Ellen Wilkinson Primary School
- Rokeby Secondary School
- Monega Primary School
- Earlham Primary School
- Eastlea Community School
- Godwin Junior School
- John F Kennedy Special School
Some parents have slammed the decision at their schools - with one mum whose son attends Godwin Junior branding the decision "over the top".
She said: "I don't want my son to be scared of spiders.
"Spiders are in the world - we are humans, we live in a world with animals and insects.
"We need to learn to live alongside each other."
Last week it emerged Rokeby secondary in Canning Town, will remain shut until October 29.
Star Primary in Beckton, Ellen Wilkinson Primary in Canning Town and Lister Community School in Plaistow have also had to close until further notice.
Eastlea Community School has it shut on Wednesday until October 29 while the nursery at Monega Primary has shut until October 15 and Earlham Primary closed for one day last week.
Rokeby head teacher, Charlotte Robinson, said a pest control company estimated it would take three weeks to clear the spiders.
In a letter to parents of the school’s 770 pupils, she wrote: “I have had to take the difficult decision to close Rokeby School to students and staff until Monday, October 29.
“We have engaged a company to deal with and eradicate this pest, they have estimated that this will take up to three weeks.
WHAT IS THE FALSE WIDOW SPIDER? The spiders causing chaos across schools in London
Steatoda Nobilis - commonly known as the false widow spider - is native to Madeira and the Canary islands, and is believed to have arrived on British shores via a cargo transporter before 1879.
It is thought to have thrived in the UK in recent years due to milder winters.
In 2017, reports revealed that the eight-legged beasties had begun making their way into British homes as temperatures dropped.
The spider is nocturnal and will normally spend the day sleeping inside a crack or hole close to its web.
False widows like dry, warm environments where they will be unlikely to be disturbed. This is often what brings them into people's homes.
The spiders are most commonly seen in the south of the country, but reported sightings suggest they are moving northwards.
“The safety and wellbeing of students and staff must be our priority so whilst I understand that this may be very inconvenient for you it is in your child’s best interest to remain at home and not at school.”
Lister Community School head teacher Anthony Wilson said: “Investigations suggest that there may be some of these spiders on our site, and we are therefore following advice from the local authority and will be closing the school as a precaution to allow full investigation.”
Lisle Von Buchenroder, headteacher at Star Primary and Sue Ferguson, headteacher of Ellen Wilkinson said they were looking at "alternative venues" so lessons could continue.
False widow spiders are about the size of a 50p coin and are the most dangerous spider species in the UK.
Their bites can be very painful and leave small puncture marks on the skin.
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A Newham Council spokeswoman said yesterday: “The spiders only bite if mishandled or provoked. The venom is not particularly potent.
“The schools are being treated and fumigated and we are working with the schools to ensure that children can continue to receive an education whilst their school is closed.
"Pupils are being set work via the schools and will remain in contact with schools.
“We are asking all our schools and nurseries to proactively check their premises carefully for these spiders and if they see any signs, then contact environmental health or pest control.”
Dr Deborah Turbitt, deputy director for Public Health London, said: “If you have been bitten, gently wash the affected area with soap and water. If symptoms don’t respond to these measures, there is severe swelling, or the bite is around the eyes, seek immediate medical attention.”
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