Black Isle secondary Fortrose Academy to reopen after 'difficult day' amid police probe into malicious call
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A BLACK Isle secondary school closed yesterday amid reports of a "bomb scare" will open today as normal as police seek the malicious caller who triggered the alert.
Police confirmed they had received a report of "a threat made to a high school in Fortrose" yesterday at around 11.20am.
Fortrose Academy was evacuated as a precaution and then closed for the rest of the day amid police investigations and to ensure the building was safe.
In a letter to parents and carers, acting head teacher Jacquie Ross confirms the school will open today (Tuesday) and explains the backdrop to the incident response.
She said: "You will be aware that there was a malicious call to the school [today].Pupils and staff were initially evacuated from the school to the primary muster point at the playing fields and from there to the community centre. Police worked with the school to ensure that all were safe.
"It became clear that we would be unable to reoccupy the school to have lunch or retrieve personal belongings until it was deemed safe – resulting in the need to close the school. Given that all staff and pupils were evacuated without warning, we are grateful to Highlife Highland for providing space and communication facilities in order that we could co-ordinate our response with the various agencies and bus companies.Thanks go to the police for their swift response.
"I am pleased to report that the building was deemed safe in the late afternoon by the police and, subsequently, we will open tomorrow [Tuesday] as normal. In the morning, time will be given for pupils and staff to retrieve their personal belongings. We will also talk to pupils and staff throughout the day about this incident.
"This matter is under police investigation, and I am sorry that this caused significant disruption to our community. I am grateful to all staff and pupils for their support and appropriate response using our major incident plan. Following all such events, we will review our incident response protocols in line with feedback received."
Ms Ross added: "Thank you all for your support and understanding on what was a difficult day."
