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Jason Ashley, director of the school, said that he had never seen a virus spread so quickly around a school.
More than 300 students and staff from a high school became ill during an influenza outbreak.
Redbridge Community School in Southampton was closed for at least two days after 56 staff members were called for illness – about half of the workforce.
At least a quarter of the 1,000 students in the school were also affected.
Public Health England has stated that the most common influenza strain currently circulating often affects adults and working-age children.
Half of staff and at least a quarter of students became ill at Redbridge Community School
School principal, Jason Ashley, said the outbreak had begun Wednesday when 62 students were sent home.
More and more students and teachers succumbed on Thursday to the "incredibly virulent strain," he said.
Mr Ashley said the decision to close the school Friday and Monday followed the advice of Public Health England, who said the school should be thoroughly cleaned up.
"I have been in the profession for more than 24 years and I have never seen a virus spread so quickly around a school, it was like a domino effect," the report said. director.
He added that he had been told that the virus had "a five-day impact".
The school is being thoroughly cleaned
Another school, Portesham Primary in Dorset, closed on Tuesday and was scheduled to reopen on Monday after reporting a "serious outbreak of influenza virus".
Eight influenza outbreaks were reported in schools during the week prior to January 13, Public Health England reported.
The government said the flu virus this year "particularly affects adults at risk groups," including those with asthma and diabetes.
Preliminary data also suggested that the latest influenza vaccine was "well-adapted to circulating strains".
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