This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-35350907

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Bomb scares at four West Midlands schools Bomb scares at four West Midlands schools
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of pupils were evacuated as four schools in the West Midlands received bomb scare calls.Thousands of pupils were evacuated as four schools in the West Midlands received bomb scare calls.
Students at Holly Lodge, Oldbury Academy and Bristnall Hall in Sandwell were evacuated and lessons at Leasowes High School in Halesowen were halted.Students at Holly Lodge, Oldbury Academy and Bristnall Hall in Sandwell were evacuated and lessons at Leasowes High School in Halesowen were halted.
The schools received the threats between 09:00 GMT and 09:30, West Midlands Police said.The schools received the threats between 09:00 GMT and 09:30, West Midlands Police said.
The force said all students were safe and an inquiry was under way to find out who was responsible for the calls. The force said no suspicious objects were found and an inquiry is under way to find out who made the calls.
Follow live updates on this story as they happenFollow live updates on this story as they happen
It said at lunchtime that the four schools had been given the all clear. It said at lunchtime that the four schools had been given the all clear and all students are safe.
All schools are set to be open as usual tomorrow.
Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper said schools had "done the right thing" in evacuating pupils.Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper said schools had "done the right thing" in evacuating pupils.
He said: "We evacuated the schools on the basis of safety..... we erred on the side of caution."He said: "We evacuated the schools on the basis of safety..... we erred on the side of caution."
Alan Brockhouse said he was "beyond angry" at Leasowes school's handling of the incident. Parent Alan Brockhouse said he was "beyond angry" at Leasowes school's handling of the incident.
He said: "They put them in the halls together. If they were going to be attacked they're all in one place. It's chaos. I dread to think what could have happened and how many could have died.He said: "They put them in the halls together. If they were going to be attacked they're all in one place. It's chaos. I dread to think what could have happened and how many could have died.
"They said they checked it out and it was safe, but you're telling me they're checking everywhere all over and know it's ok?""They said they checked it out and it was safe, but you're telling me they're checking everywhere all over and know it's ok?"
Leasowes High School head teacher Neil Shaw said: "We acted quickly to inform police immediately and evacuated the school within a few minutes.Leasowes High School head teacher Neil Shaw said: "We acted quickly to inform police immediately and evacuated the school within a few minutes.
"Lessons have now returned to normal, but some children have gone home with parents."Lessons have now returned to normal, but some children have gone home with parents.
"The safety and welfare of our children is obviously our top priority and I'm grateful to staff and emergency services for the way they dealt with this difficult situation.""The safety and welfare of our children is obviously our top priority and I'm grateful to staff and emergency services for the way they dealt with this difficult situation."
Two Oldbury Academy students told BBC WM that pupils and teachers were "panicking" as the school was evacuated.Two Oldbury Academy students told BBC WM that pupils and teachers were "panicking" as the school was evacuated.
A 15-year-old said: "A few people were running down the street, running away from the school."A 15-year-old said: "A few people were running down the street, running away from the school."
Francesca Spratt, a sixth form student at Bristnall Hall Academy, said a senior member of staff entered her biology class and asked students to collect their things and leave as quickly as possible.Francesca Spratt, a sixth form student at Bristnall Hall Academy, said a senior member of staff entered her biology class and asked students to collect their things and leave as quickly as possible.
She said: "Nobody was told why we were being evacuated but all of the students left the school very calmly, there was no running or mass panic."She said: "Nobody was told why we were being evacuated but all of the students left the school very calmly, there was no running or mass panic."
Jack Beckett, a student at Bristnall Hall Academy in Oldbury, said: "My teacher was pretty scared, she was shaking a bit and told us to please leave. Jack Beckett, a student at Bristnall Hall Academy, said: "My teacher was pretty scared, she was shaking a bit and told us to please leave.
"We thought it was a gas leak, but then we found out other schools had to be evacuated as well.""We thought it was a gas leak, but then we found out other schools had to be evacuated as well."
Its principal, Vince Green, said: "Police took the threat very seriously, that is the most important point. They recommended we evacuate the academy, which is exactly what I have done." Head teachers at the three Sandwell schools affected said they will remain closed for the rest of the day but will be open as usual tomorrow.
The borough council and parents should check the schools' websites for any updates.
Bristnall Hall Academy principal Vince Green said: "Police took the threat very seriously, that is the most important point. They recommended we evacuate the academy, which is exactly what I have done."
The affected schoolsThe affected schools
Councillor Ian Cooper, cabinet member for children's services at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, said the Leasowes High School alert "turned out to be a bomb hoax". Councillor Ian Cooper, cabinet member for children's services at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, confirmed the Leasowes High School alert "turned out to be a bomb hoax".
He said there was "no suggestion of any other threat to other schools in Dudley borough". He said: "We can reassure parents that the situation was dealt with quickly and safely."
Mr Cooper said: "We can reassure parents that the situation was dealt with quickly and safely."
Lessons at the school have now resumed.
Pupils at the three Sandwell schools were sent home.
Sandwell Council said the Harry Mitchell Centre in Broomfield, Smethwick, had been opened as a rest centre for children who were not able to get home.
Avon and Somerset Police said four bomb hoaxes at schools in the Bristol area were not believed to be linked to the West Midlands alerts.Avon and Somerset Police said four bomb hoaxes at schools in the Bristol area were not believed to be linked to the West Midlands alerts.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "Investigations are at the early stages.A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "Investigations are at the early stages.
"If any connections with other offences locally or further afield come to light, they will be examined.""If any connections with other offences locally or further afield come to light, they will be examined."
Earlier the force said a police investigation was under way to find the person responsible for the calls.Earlier the force said a police investigation was under way to find the person responsible for the calls.