PARENTS have expressed outrage at a Herefordshire secondary school's "lack of communication" after they say it "went into lockdown", but Herefordshire Council has denied that anything happened.

Children described to their parents how they were banned from going outside or looking out of windows at Earl Mortimer College in Leominster last week.

Dozens of parents took to social media to complain about a lack of messaging from the school, some saying children had come home in tears. But the reason for the apparent "lockdown" remains a mystery, with the school refusing to comment and accused of failing to inform parents.

In a letter sent to a parent and seen by the Hereford Times, the school's principal Alison Banner said: "I know that some families believe that the school was placed into lockdown [on May 1]. This is not true, although we did decide to keep students inside.

"Sometimes decisions are made as matters arise during the school day, as in this case."

Herefordshire Council has also issued a statement this afternoon (May 10) denying that a 'lockdown' took place at the school.

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The parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Hereford Times what her child had reported.

They said: "Swimming and PE were cancelled and some children were made to eat their lunch in the PE changing rooms. One teacher kept walking around the school grounds. At the end of the school day, they all had to wait to be ushered onto their buses.

"I was angry and upset; worried if my children were safe. Parents were ringing the school but no one returned our calls."

The parent claimed that their child was told by a teacher that the "lockdown" was due to a "tropical storm".

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Another parent, also remaining anonymous, said: "My daughter said she was scared and wanted to come home. She saw other kids crying. No parents have been informed so we were left worrying."

A third parent told the Hereford Times: "The school was put into lockdown which we had to find out from our children and not from the school, no email, no parent mail.

"I found it disgusting how we weren't told about it and were told by our children. The communication between the school and parents is disgusting."

Another added: "Communication is absolutely disgraceful. As a parent, I feel let down by Earl Mortimer College; not just me but my son."

The Hereford Times approached an Earl Mortimer College representative about the "lockdown" and a lack of communication with parents, but they declined to comment.

A spokesperson for Herefordshire Council, said: “To clarify, Earl Mortimer College and Sixth Form Centre did not lock down.

“The safety of our pupils and staff is our priority. If a security risk is identified our schools will take the appropriate action in accordance with government health and safety guidelines.”