Three intruders broke into a North Somerset school to 'harm a student'. Churchill Academy's headteacher says the 'serious incident' took place around 1.45pm on Friday (April 21) and the school was now reviewing its security.
Police were called and the intruders were found and escorted off the site, in Winscombe. No one was harmed during the incident, reports Somerset Live.
Parents were informed of the incident in a letter from headteacher Chris Hildrew. Mr Hildrew said: “A serious incident took place at our academy on Friday 21st April at lunchtime.
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“At 1.45pm, three intruders gained access to the student site through the top pedestrian gate. Staff responded immediately and escorted the intruders off site.
"The site was then secured and the intruders left the area. No damage was done, and no harm was caused to any students. The whole incident was resolved within a matter of minutes.
“The police were called immediately on 999 and responded. We have reported the intrusion as a crime and the police are continuing to support us with identifying the intruders and bringing them to justice.”
He denied rumours that the three intruders were armed. He said: “ We are aware of rumours circulating that the intruders were armed.
"We can confirm that there was no sight or suggestion that the intruders had a weapon of any kind. However, we can confirm that they did intend to harm an individual student who they were looking for.
"We can also confirm that staff intervened before they located this student, and before any harm or damage was done.”
It's understood that the school campus is secured by magnetic locked gates which can only be opened with an access key card. The intruders gained access through the gate as a sixth former was leaving the site, legitimately, using a card.
Mr Hildrew said: “The sixth form student immediately alerted us which enabled us to respond promptly.
“We commend this student’s quick thinking in a difficult situation. We are now reviewing security arrangements for students using cards in this way to ensure that this situation cannot be repeated.”
Students have been briefed following the incident.
He added: "Student safety is our top priority, and to see it placed at risk in this way has given us serious cause for concern.
"Duties and security have been stepped up this week, and we will continue with increased vigilance and supervision around access points to the academy moving forward.”
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