A SCHOOL in South Oxfordshire is closed today as its community mourns the death of a staff member.

Watlington Primary School near Chalgrove, which teaches hundreds of children, did not open this morning following the tragic news.

The staff member's identity and circumstances of the death have not been made public at this time.

Oxfordshire County Council, which runs the school, confirmed the closure was due to the 'death of a member of the school staff'.

A spokesman added: "Our thoughts are with all in the school community."

The primary school, in Love Lane in Watlington, teaches about 300 children.

It was rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted in 2013, when the inspector's report described 'a happy and harmonious community'.

The council's school closures page states the school is closed due to 'health and safety', though the spokesman clarified this was not the case.

It is expected to reopen tomorrow.