Parents say their children were "petrified for their lives" following an incident at a secondary school.

Police were called to Homewood School in Tenterden this morning following a report a pupil had been injured.

Three people contacted KentOnline separately to say a pupil had been "stabbed".

But police would only confirm they were called to an "incident" at the Ashford Road site.

A spokesman said: "We were contacted at 11.40am on Tuesday following a report that a child had been injured at a school in Tenterden.

"Officers are liaising with the school to establish the cause of the injury and the circumstances surrounding the incident."

It is understood the incident happened at break time.

One parent said she found out when her child called her "crying and hiding in the toilets" after witnessing the "awful" event.

Another concerned mother said her children were "petrified for their lives" following the "terrifying" incident.

A spokesperson for Homewood School said: “Without seeking to minimise the impact on the victim, the incident has been exaggerated on social media.

“A minor injury was caused to the leg of a female pupil by a boy using a pair of small scissors. The school nurse dealt with the cut initially but, as a precaution, the girl went to A&E where the injury was examined and appropriate care and attention were provided.

“The police were informed but did not attend the school.

“The boy’s actions were clearly unacceptable and the school is making further enquiries about the circumstances before taking any disciplinary action.

“Both sets of parents have been supportive of the school’s actions and the girl has expressed a wish to return to school as soon as possible.”