School bosses have reassured parents after it went into lockdown because an intruder scaled the fence.

Senior staff were deployed around access points at Phoenix Primary School, in Chatham, yesterday afternoon (July 10) when a member of the public was seen entering the premises.

Police were called just before 2pm and attended the school grounds in Glencoe Road where advice was given and the person was escorted from the premises.

A spokesman for the force added: “No further police action was required.”

Following the incident, chief executive of the Beyond Schools Trust, which runs the school, Andrew Minchin has reassured parents on why it instigated its lockdown procedure.

In a statement released today (July 11), he said: “This was due to a young vulnerable lady trespassing on the school site after scaling a perimeter fence.

“The trespasser gained access to the school building due to the PTA using an external door for their preparations for the summer fair, which was taking place in the school playground.

“However, the school and its staff acted swiftly to contain the intruder and ensure the safety of the pupils by placing the school in a lockdown; the police were called and attended the scene promptly and apprehended the vulnerable young person.

“At no point were students at risk due to the effective implementation of the lockdown procedure that the school has practiced.”

Mr Minchin also said “inaccurate comments” have been shared on social media, speculating on why the school had been carrying out recent lockdown drills.

He added: “I would like to take this opportunity to reassure parents that since the very high-profile incident in Wales at the end of April, and in anticipation of the introduction of Martyn’s Law, the trust asked all its schools to review their lockdown procedures and ensure staff and students knew what to do in a variety of scenarios and times of the school day, should an incident occur.

“This has resulted in a higher level of awareness surrounding lockdown processes amongst staff and pupils and lockdown practices being carried out more frequently in recent months.

“Fortunately, whilst these incidents are still quite rare, the importance we have placed on this matter has resulted in this trespasser being apprehended quickly, and our children and staff knowing what to do to keep themselves safe.

“On a final note, I wish to commend Melissa Ireland-Hubbert (headteacher) and her team for the manner in which this incident was handled.”

Following yesterday’s incident, the trust has contacted the council’s safeguarding and social care teams to ask for “immediate intervention” to support the young woman.

It added teachers will make sure any children affected by the event can speak with staff and the security of the site will be reviewed and action taken if need over the summer holidays.

A letter was sent home to parents yesterday from Mrs Ireland-Hubbert where she confirmed the students were not in any danger.