The school at the centre of Bristol's swine flu scare has re-opened 10 days after it was closed to contain the spread of the virus.

Pupils returned to lessons at Downend School as normal this morning after a week-long closure to prevent the disease spreading through pupils and staff.

The decision was taken to close the school after a 12-year-old girl who had recently returned from Mexico was confirmed as having swine flu.

Pupils and staff who had been in contact with the year 7 pupil were tested for the disease and given a course of anti-viral drug Tamiflu as a precaution. None of those tested had contracted the virus.

Headteacher Tamryn Savage said the girl with swine flu had now completely recovered and the school could return to "business as usual".

The school had to rearrange a few exams during the closure, but work was posted on the website and extra revision sessions have been arranged for after school.

Some parents at the school gates this morning were concerned about the timing of the school closure, as many pupils were due to start their exams.

Debbie Irwin, who has a 15-year-old son at the school, said: "They need to be back at school to get their revision done.

"A lot of the children just treated it as a week's holiday really, which is not good at this time of year with exams in progress.

"It was something that had to be done but it does seem a little over the top."

Dr Bharat Pankhania, a consultant in communicable disease control for the Health Protection Agency, based in Bristol, said that closure was essential to halt any potential spread of the swine flu virus.

He said: "It was very important and crucial to have done this to slow down the spread of this virus.

"Seven days of the school being closed is enough to break the chain of infection.

"I understand that everyone at the school is well and we have no concerns."

Mrs Savage said: "I am really pleased that the school is able to reopen today after the Health Protection Agency recommended it close for a week as a precautionary measure.

"It has been a really difficult time for everyone involved but the school community has really pulled together.

"I am very grateful for the support and understanding of parents, the co-operation of pupils, the efforts of my staff and the guidance and assistance from the health agencies and the council.

"The year seven pupil is completely recovered, precautionary tests on other pupils have come back negative, so everyone will be getting on with normal lessons and activities and it is business as usual at the school."