MICROBIOLOGISTS from Manchester University NHS Trust have been drafted in to inspect a Hale primary school after fears the building is infested with mould.

The action is in response to a request from a clinical consultant at Wythenshawe Hospital who has been treating a staff member of Samford Park Infant School.

Health and safety officers from Trafford council have also been involved in investigations at the Cedar Road site, which is also home to the junior school.

On Friday, a university surveillance unit inspected the infant school and uncovered ‘high levels’ of Aspergillus, which is a  common type of fungus that can make ‘asthma worse’.

As a result of the findings, the headteacher Anne-Marie McDowell was forced to close the school for two days while officers dealt with the situation.

The school is due to reopen tomorrow (Wednesday).

A council spokesman said air purifiers had been installed in a bid to ‘address the issue’.

“While an air quality survey has been carried out by the surveillance team who have confirmed that the results are satisfactory and of no concern,” the spokesman added.

“Council officers have also inspected the building and identified works that will be carried out to address the potential causes of the mould spores.

“We will continue to work with the unit to ensure this matter has been thoroughly addressed and this will include further air quality monitoring within the school.”

In February, council chiefs tabled plans to amalgamate the junior and infant schools, as they both currently operate from the same site.

The move would have reduced class sizes – and made a ‘significant’ difference to the century-old building, parents said.

However, the junior school headteacher, Cathryn Downing, turned down the council’s offer of a brand new £8m school – in favour of becoming an academy.

If the move goes ahead the school could form part of the Hamblin Academy Trust as early as September.

However, the news has incensed hundreds of parents who argue the plan acadamise would not be in the school’s best interest.

Lead campaigner of The Parent Action Group, Laura Fisher, said the entire building is in a ‘poor state’.

“We cannot understand, given there is clear evidence the current state of the building could impact pupils’ health – why the offer of a brand new school has been rejected,” she said.

“We just don’t get it – we’re all baffled and deeply concerned about the future.”

While headteacher Mrs McDowell agreed – and said the discovery of potentially harmful mould is just more evidence the school is ‘not for purpose’.