Praise for Gusford Primary after being one of 27 schools nationally targeted by hoax bomb threats

Parents have praised an Ipswich primary school for its quick action after a hoax bomb threat yesterday morning.

Gusford Primary School in Sheldrake Drive was evacuated just after 10.30am, after staff received a telephone call from a man claiming there was a bomb at the school.

The school was one of at least 27 across the country targeted in the scare, which saw hundreds of pupils having to leave their schools for the day.

Gusford Primary, which has around 600 pupils on its roll, quickly alerted staff and pupils, who all left the school quickly, and were taken to the nearby Sprites Primary School.

The school then informed parents via the Parent Mail system, with parents picking the youngsters up from Sprites.

Despite the school never having to carry out such a procedure before, parents praised the quick-thinking efforts of staff.

“You still worry not knowing what is going on, but the teachers have done a fantastic job, especially as they have never had to do something like that,” parent Caroline Gosling, 33, said.

Paul Andrew, 42, who picked his child up at Sprites, added: “I found out through Facebook and Parent Mail, and the school have been fantastic.”

The school’s assistant headteacher Sarah Clayton said: “Gusford Primary School can confirm there was an incident this morning involving a telephone call regarding a suspect package at the school.

“All the children and staff were evacuated calmly and safely.

“Parents have been informed and are collecting their children. Staff at the school are currently working with the police and as such we cannot comment further at this stage.”

A Suffolk police spokeswoman said: “Suffolk Police is working together with other forces to investigate who is responsible and whether the incidents are linked.”