EDUCATION chiefs have refused to comment following police being called out to two south Warwickshire schools in the space of two days.
Masked intruders and a disruptive student saw both Kineton High School and Stratford School require the intervention of Warwickshire Police, as well as leading to the education of hundreds of pupils being disrupted.
Kineton High School went into lockdown and armed police were called after three masked youths entered the grounds on Wednesday April 19.
Officers were called at just after 10.15am and pupils were kept inside the school and told to hide under their desks as a precaution while the intruders were traced.
Parents have reported receiving frightened text messages from their children as they hid and teachers barricaded the doors of their classrooms.
Following a search of the school grounds officers seized a bag containing a knife.
A 15-year-old boy from Southam was arrested at his home on Thursday evening (April 20) on suspicion of possession of a blade.
He was later bailed while enquiries continue.
Chief Inspector Faz Chishty, policing commander for South Warwickshire, said: “This was a concerning incident and I would like to praise the staff at the school for their prompt response that ensured the safety of everyone at the school.
“At this time, we believe this incident was part of an ongoing dispute involving two pupils at the school. There was no risk to the wider public.”
Kineton High School wrote on its Facebook page following the incident: “There was an incident in school today which involved a call to the police shortly before 10.15am. Please be assured that the incident was contained, is over and all pupils and staff at the school are safe.
“The school’s lockdown procedure was deployed as a precautionary measure as three unidentified young people were on site. Police are remaining in the area to reassure the public.
“This was an isolated incident and school has returned to its normal activities. The school remains fully open for the education of all its students. The safety and welfare of students is its most important priority.”
And police were called to Stratford School to deal with a “distruptive” student on Tuesday April 18.
The student was reportedly drunk and armed with a knife – though the school has been quick to quash these rumours.
The headteacher of the Alcester Road-based school, Neil Wallace, told the Observer: “Unfortunately there was an incident in school Tuesday afternoon that resulted in the police being called to the site to deal with a dysregulated and disruptive student.
“Contrary to speculation, there was no knife involved and the school did not go into lockdown, however numerous lessons were interrupted. Staff responded appropriately and the police helped remove the individual concerned from the premises. The issue was resolved quickly.
“The school cannot discuss an individual student, but appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.”
Warwickshire Police confirmed it had been called to the school at 2.10pm on Tuesday April 18 and a 16-year-old boy was spoken to.
Warwickshire County Council refused to comment on the incidents.
