A SCHOOL’S leadership was forced to take the “unusual” step of reaching out to every parent to allay fears of a “shooting” after rumours circulated on social media.

Some worried parents kept their children away from Philip Morant School and College on Friday and yesterday after pupils voiced their fear over the alleged threat.

One worried grandmother to two pupils, in Year 7 and 8, said some children were in tears.

“We heard someone had put on social media that either on Friday or Monday there would be a shooting carried out at the school,” she said.

“My daughter was made aware of this and contacted the school, but an email was only sent out on Friday.

“I have two grandchildren at the school and one was in tears over this.

“Pupils were scared.

“We were told they had looked into the matter and it was a hoax, but at the end of the day I can’t see how you can say with that level of certainty it is a hoax and ensure the children are going to be safe when such a serious threat is made.

“How can they guarantee that?

“From what I understand, several parents took the sensible measure of keeping their children off school for those days.”

In an email to all parents on Friday, the school’s leadership offered assurances the threat was a hoax and said Essex Police had been informed.

The email said: “Having investigated the matter, we are confident that these rumours do not have credible substance, but, as we always do when there is any kind of concern, we have put measures in place to ensure all children, staff and visitors to our site are kept safe.

“Obviously the actual safety of everyone is our priority, but it is also important that our students feel safe too.

“We will, therefore, be reassuring students of this during tutorials and have also decided to take the unusual step of contacting all parents directly regarding this matter.”

The email also urged parents to talk to their children about the responsibilities of using social media.

A school spokesman said students were initially concerned about a comment a pupil had made at lunchtime last Thursday.

He said: "The matter was investigated and dealt with by the end of the day.

"The school became aware of the rumours flying around social media very late on Thursday and responded first thing on Friday morning."

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We received a call reporting an alleged threat against an address in Colchester on Thursday, June 14.

"Officers have visited the person involved and are satisfied there was no intent and there is no risk.
"Advice has been given and we are liaising with all parties involved."