PUPILS at a Colchester school were evacuated after a bomb threat was called in, it has been reported.

Parents of pupils at St Helena School, in Sheepan Road, said they received a message confirming the threat had been made via a phone call.

The message said the call was made at 10.30am, with pupils evacuated to the nearby Colchester Institute while officers investigated.

The message, from executive headteacher Fiona Pierson, said: “I am writing to make you aware that at 10.30am this morning, we received a phone call that made a bomb threat to St Helena School.

“Following advice from Essex Police, we have evacuated our school site to Colchester Institute.

“We are currently housing students on the Institute grounds and awaiting further advise from Essex Police, who are currently at the scene.

“I would like to reassure you that all students are safe and are being looked after within the grounds of Colchester Institute."

A spokesperson for St Helena School said: “We can confirm that the school was evacuated just after 10.30am this morning after we received a bomb threat via a phone call to the school.

“Following advice from Essex Police, we evacuated our school site to Colchester Institute until we were told that it was safe to return to the school buildings at around midday.

“We would like to thank the police officers who attended as well as staff at Colchester Institute for their support.

"We would also like to thank students who acted sensibly and safely throughout.”

One parent, who asked not to be named, said he had since received an email this afternoon confirming pupils were being allowed back into the school.

A further message sent out by headteacher Fiona Pierson confirmed Essex Police had found the site "safe and secure".

It said: "Following my previous correspondence, I am pleased to say all staff and students are returning back to St Helena School. 

"This is following advice from Essex Police that the site is safe and secure. 

"I would like to thank all students for how they have conducted themselves this morning."

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We were called to St. Helena School on Sheepen Road in Colchester shortly after 10:30am this morning.

"This was following concerns after a threatening phone call was made into a member of staff. 

"The school followed the correct protocols to ensure the safety of pupils. 
"Officers attended and no threat or risk has been identified."