Two Rochdale schools evacuated after bomb scare

Two schools in Rochdale were evacuated today after a bomb scare - with schools across the country also hit by a wave of threats.

Police were called to Oulder Hill High School and neighbouring Redwood Secondary School on Monday morning after a call was made to Redwood.

The caller said an item had been placed within the school grounds.

More than 1,000 pupils, teachers and staff from both schools were evacuated as a result for more than an hour. The schools share a site off Greave Avenue in the Spotland area of the town.

Emergency services were called out to at least nine other schools across the country as Year 11 pupils sit GCSE exams.

Rochdale council said pupils at both Redwood and Oulder Hill returned to classes after thorough sweeps and searches by police and senior staff. Nothing was found.

A council spokesman said Redwood Secondary School received a phone call saying ‘an item had been placed’ within the school grounds, which back on to Rochdale Golf Club.

The Gracie Fields Theatre and leisure facilities including a swimming pool also part of the complex.

It’s understood that searches were carried out by police on the rooftops and around other areas of both schools. The force confirmed officers were called to Redwood Secondary School shortly after 11.30am.

According to recent Ofsted inspection reports, there are more than 1,160 pupils on the roll at Older Hill, with more than 200 at Redwood, which caters for pupils who are supported by a statement of special educational needs.

On Facebook, Redwood said:

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: