Students have been evacuated after a high school in Rochdale was placed in lockdown following a 'bomb threat'.
Pupils and staff at St Cuthbert’s RC High School were told to leave after the school received a communication indicating a possible bomb threat, according to St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Academy Trust, which manages the school.
Greater Manchester Police attended, and all school buildings were evacuated as a 'precautionary measure'.
A spokesperson for St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Academy Trust said: "All children and staff are safe and accounted for, in line with our established procedures.
"Greater Manchester Police attended and parents and carers were notified immediately that their children had been removed to a safe distance and there was no threat or danger to anyone present.
"We would like to assure everyone within the St Cuthbert’s School community that the safety and wellbeing of our children remains our absolute priority.
"Specialist security operatives will conduct a full sweep of the building this afternoon to confirm if any further actions are required."
The trust said that the school is expected to 'be open as normal' on Monday (October 19).
It said that further information will be communicated as needed when received.
Parents and carers have been told they can now attend the school to collect their children, or provide consent for their children to travel home.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "The school implemented a lockdown in response to a sus call.
"Officers attended and carried out an assessment which indicated that the call was a likely hoax.
"Officers are investigating the circumstances of the call."
The trust thanked parents, carers and staff for their 'understanding and co-operation'.
It also urged people to 'avoid speculation on social media', particularly regarding false rumours.
It is understood the advice was issued in response to social media claims about the lockdown.
Replying to a parent on social media, who asked why children were 'told to stay in classrooms', the trust said: "Standard school lockdown protocols were observed in the first instance, while clarity was established on the nature of the threat.
"When this was confirmed, the school moved into evacuation procedure and all children and staff were calmly removed.
"The safety of everyone in our schools, especially the children, is our first priority.
"And with a call of this nature, before the precise details of a threat have been established, staff would not move children before it has been established that they can safely do so."
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