A grammar school is to undergo a deep clean after asbestos was left behind following electrical works in an old science block.

Part of Borden Grammar School in Sittingbourne has been shut off after the toxic minerals were discovered in debris from the works.

However, the school in Avenue or Remembrance has told parents, pupils and staff not to worry after the “very small amount of asbestos” was found.

It says tests were done to understand the extent of the issue and parents were contacted straight away.

Specialists concluded that given “the minimal amount” of debris and that air testing found the fibre concentration levels did not breach the control limit that the issue did not meet even the lowest levels for official reporting.

The school stressed that despite this reassurance it still should not have happened.

Head teacher Ashley Tomlin said: “We were recently awarded funding to update the infrastructure in two areas of our school.

“In advance of that, over the half-term break, our building company subcontracted work to a specialist supplier to remove some asbestos used in the construction of these extensions.

“This was all completed before the staff and students returned, and we were given assurance that all relevant tests had been passed.

“Shortly after half-term, we noticed that there were small pockets of debris in some of the areas where this asbestos removal had taken place.

“We were initially assured by the contractors that there was nothing to be concerned about, but we decided to have this debris investigated further. At this point, we also shut these areas off as students and staff were learning and working in these spaces.

“We have since found out that some of this debris contained a very small amount of asbestos.

“A significant number of different tests have consequently been undertaken to find out the extent of problem and what this could mean. We have also had the results independently verified by a specialist advisor.

“They have concluded that the levels of asbestos present ‘did not breach control limits’, and that the asbestos was of a type that is of a lower risk of causing health concerns.

“Furthermore, the debris was not airborne, and all of the air tests have come back as being safe.

“While all the indicators are that are community should not be unduly concerned, this does not detract from the fact that this should not have happened.

“We are working with independent advisors, as well as the contractors, to look at how to best resolve this issue.

“We will only let students and staff back into these areas when we have complete assurance that they are 100% safe.”