Head Paul Reilly said: "One member of the school community has been diagnosed as suffering with the H1N1 virus.

"The assessment was made by a doctor over the phone following description of flu like symptoms.

"The person is recovering well at home. The school is following current the National and East Sussex guidance and has informed parents of the case.

"National guidance has recently been updated so that school closures are only likely now in exceptional circumstances.

"Preventative antivirals drugs will no longer be routinely offered to large groups of school pupils. "As swine flu starts to circulate more freely in the local community, these measures are no longer effective, as people may be exposed to the virus outside school, or as soon as they have finished a course of drugs.

"The most important advice we have been given is that children who have symptoms of flu-like illness should stay away from school until they have recovered and are free of symptoms. This is to avoid spreading the infection as much as possible."