Newhouse Academy in Heywood went into lockdown on Wednesday (September 30) after receiving two phone calls that prompted a bomb threat investigation. Parents were told not to attend the school while Greater Manchester Police (GMP) carried out an assessment.
At 12.35pm, families received a message from headteacher Alex Burnham explaining the situation. It said: "All students are inside the building, with staff members and relevant authorities having been notified. The wellbeing of our students and families is paramount and we appreciate this communication will prompt concern. Please bear with us, while we work with partner agencies and we will communicate any developments to you."
Parents told to stay away
Parents were advised not to attend the school until further information was provided. Around an hour later, a second message was sent to families, stating: "We are currently waiting for the police to trace the calls. The police have stated that everyone has to remain where they are. We can confirm that no students or staff have been hurt or injured."
The messages caused concern among parents, with several people gathering outside the school as GMP carried out its investigation. One parent, Kelly Wild, wrote on Facebook: "Whys my kids school on lockdown Newhouse Academy! Bomb threat apparently! Telling us to not turn up! We are all at the school and they won't let us in or let the kids out kids all laid down u the the tables! This world is ****** I just want my kids out!!!!!! All the sirens going off!"
Police confirm hoax
Another parent, Paula Davis, said: "Just glad my child along with all the other children are unharmed and safe." A spokesperson for GMP later confirmed that the call was believed to have been a hoax and that officers had found nothing suspicious inside the school.
They said: "The school implemented a lockdown in response to a sus call. Officers attended and carried out an assessment which indicated that the call was a likely hoax. A search of the building has not found anything suspicious. Rochdale CID are investigating the circumstances of the call."
Headteacher's letter to families
Headteacher Burnham has now sent a letter to concerned families regarding the "malicious" phone calls. It reads: "You will know from our previous messages that, earlier today, the academy received two malicious telephone calls from an unnamed party. We immediately contacted the Police and, due to the threatening nature of the calls, had no choice but to follow lockdown procedures to ensure the safety of everybody within the building. Throughout this time, our students remained within their classrooms. They were very calm and I am proud of the way they conducted themselves."
The letter continues: "Working with the Police, the lockdown procedure had to remain in place until we were told that our normal activities could resume. At that time, students were allowed access to the toilets and were brought down for lunch and some extended time outside in the academy's yard area. It's a poor reflection on today's society that schools have to have lockdown procedures in place and I am sorry for our students and staff that, on this occasion, we have had to use them. Thankfully, incidents like this are rare. I appreciate you will have been concerned by these events and I'd like to reassure you that every decision taken was made on the advice of the Police and with your child's safety and wellbeing at its heart."
The statement concludes: "We continue to work with the Police during their ongoing investigation into this matter. The academy will re-open tomorrow morning at 8.15am, as usual, and staff will be on hand to speak to and reassure any students who might need their support. In the meantime, I'd like to thank you for your support and patience."
