Parklands High School in Chorley evacuated after bomb threat as pupils sit GCSE exams

A school in Chorley has been evacuated with pupils sent home after a bomb threat today.

Parklands High School alerted parents and carers around 12pm, asking them to pick up children or allow them to make their own way home from school.

The school said the fire alarm was triggered while pupils sat their GCSE exams, but has not commented further on the incident at this stage.

However, Lancashire Police has confirmed to the Post that the school received a bomb threat at 10.23am. Children were reportedly waiting outside the school for 90 minutes before the decision was made to send them home.

A spokesperson for the force said: “At 10.23am, we received a report that Parklands High School had been subject to a bomb threat and has been evacuated. This was a decision made by the school.

“While at this time we do not believe this to be a genuine threat and there is no risk towards any of the students, staff or members of the public, officers have attended as reassurance.

“We are investigating and anyone with information should call 101. “

The school in Southport Road said all pupils were safe after staff triggered the fire alarm and evacuated classrooms immediately after made being aware of the threat.

Staff and pupils have had to leave their possessions behind and they will only be able to collect them when they return in the morning.

Year 11 students will be taken by coach to Southlands High School to complete their GCSE exams this afternoon. The school said it expects to reopen as normal to all pupils tomorrow.

In a statement on Facebook, headteacher Clare Batson said: “Due to the fire alarm being triggered in school we are unfortunately asking that parents/carers please collect their child from school as soon as possible for safeguarding purposes, or allowing their child to walk home.

“As we have had to leave the building immediately, pupils will have to leave their possessions in school overnight.

“As there are GCSE exams taking place, Year 11 are to remain. More information will be sent in due course.

“Please accept our apologies but it is circumstances out of our control.

“Any issues please email houseleaders@ or message this page as we have no access to the building ourselves.

“Many thanks, Parklands High School.”

Update - latest from school

In an update at 12.30pm, the school added: “All students are safe. We will ensure all year 11s are able to sit their exam this afternoon as per the contingency plan.

“We will be releasing a statement regarding the events of today later on. The main priority is that our children are safe.

“Our contingency plan is for our Y11 students to go to Southlands to complete the RS exam - this exam will be only Parklands students but just taking place in the Southlands school building.

“Students will be transported via coaches to Southlands. We believe that the school will be open as normal tomorrow for all pupils.”