Students at a Salford school have been evacuated after police launched an investigation into “malicious” communications.
Pupils at Oasis Academy in Media City were sent home this morning as part of a precautionary response to threats sent to several schools across Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police said there was “no credible evidence to suggest the threat is real.”
The incident occurred on the day some students at the non-selective school sit their first end-of-year exam.
Pupils were scheduled to sit a 2-hour exam for BTEC Health and Social Care at 9am.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that officers were deployed to the school near Salford Quays.
Many of the students sent home for the rest of the day were instructed to leave their belongings behind in the building.
A GMP statement reads: “We have received reports of malicious communications sent to several Greater Manchester schools, and our officers are investigating.
“We are approaching these reports with a standard response and treating it as one investigation.
“There is currently no credible evidence to suggest the threat is real.
“Officers are working to identify the person(s) responsible, and enquiries are ongoing.”
The force also confirmed it had not advised the school with 1,013 students enrolled to close for the day.
The decision was taken by Oasis Academy MediaCityUK’s principal Christian Harris.
She said: “This morning, Oasis Academy MediaCityUK took a precautionary decision to send students home following communication from the police after a concern was raised. This action was taken to safeguard the well-being of students and staff.
“Emergency services attended the site as a precaution and as the police have publicly stated, there is currently no credible evidence to suggest the related threat is real.
“The academy is working closely with Greater Manchester Police and relevant partners and is following well-established procedures. Families have been contacted directly and will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.”
