Three secondary school pupils required hospital treatment after a serious incident during a science lesson in Oxfordshire.
Incident Details at Lord Williams's School
The poisoning occurred at Lord Williams's School in Thame, Oxfordshire, when a student reportedly added copper sulphate to classmates' water bottles. The chemical had been taken from a laboratory during the science class, allegedly because its bright blue colour proved tempting.
The incident took place on Tuesday 18 November 2025, leading to the immediate hospitalisation of three affected children.
Health Impact and Emergency Response
Copper sulphate ingestion can cause severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and upper abdominal pain. All three poisoned pupils experienced these effects and remained in hospital overnight for observation and treatment.
Fortunately, all three children were discharged the following day and have safely returned home to continue their recovery.
Thames Valley Police were informed about the copper sulphate poisoning and are now providing support to the school as it reviews its safety procedures.
School Safety Considerations
This alarming event raises important questions about chemical storage and supervision during practical science lessons in schools. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers present in educational laboratories when proper safeguards aren't maintained.
Parents and educators will be looking closely at how schools can prevent similar occurrences while still providing hands-on scientific education.
