TERRIFIED students ran for safety after a gang of masked youths broke into school grounds and threw firecrackers.

About 700 Philip Morant School students were on the field enjoying a sunny lunchtime when the gang attacked.

The school’s vice principal Dan Fox said the group of four to six youths, wearing hoodies and with their faces covered, broke through the boundary fence and hedge to get on to the field.

They threw firecrackers which startled the youngsters - some of whom were as young as 11-years-old - before throwing flour and eggs.

Mr Fox said students ran for safety into the Colchester school building. Some raised the alarm and alerted the police.

Staff, who were on duty on the field, cleared the area and chased after the attackers who fled the scene through the vandalised fence.

Some students have left school as GCSE examinations have now been completed.

Mr Fox said he did not know if the attackers were former students from Philip Morant School or any other school in Colchester.

He said: “I don’t know if it was a prank as we don’t know who was responsible.

“We had a large number of students on the field and there was clearly no regard for the safety of the students or the people who work in the school.

“The youths were prepared to put their safety at risk.

“The firecrackers were noisy and the students were understandably scared as they did not know what was going on.

“The police have been informed and we have written to parents to tell them about the incident too.

“The school is offering pastoral support to any student who needs it.”

Mr Fox added: “We take the security of the school extremely seriously.

“Staff are always on duty at break and lunch time.

“The actions of staff and students was exemplary in the way they dealt with the incident and the aftermath.

“I would like to congratulate the students for their maturity in handling this situation.”

The incident happened at 1.15pm yesterday.

The gang ran off along the footpath, which is alongside the field, towards Bluebottle Grove. Anyone with information is urged to contact Essex Police on 101.