Terrified children were forced to hide under their desks and keep quiet when masked intruders stormed their school.
Youngsters at Kineton High School, near Warwick, were placed into an emergency lockdown which also meant lights were switched off and windows slammed shut for their safety.
Worried parents were messaged by their children and waited outside because of the three youths wearing balaclavas reported on the property, before police arrived and made the area safe.
Teachers were also said to be “extremely distressed” as a result of the incident, which is now being investigated by officers.
One mother, whose 12-year-old son attends the school, said the mums and dads were terrified waiting for news.
She told CoventryLive: “Three lads in balaclavas decided to get into the school grounds and the high school sent out the emergency lockdown siren.
“Classes were made to get under tables, keep quiet, doors locked and barricaded, lights off.
“Windows had shutters down, the kids, obviously terrified, messaged us parents. We were terrified, they were too.
“Children thought they were going to die, I was told there was blood on the school field. Mystery remains over what fully happened.”
Another parent said his young son was "confused" and "scared" during the incident, adding: “Children heard three alarms go off and were told to go under their tables.
“At first, the teacher told them it was a drill and my son said he believed she believed it was.
“Once they all realised it was not a drill, the children and teacher became scared. It also then became apparent the police were sweeping classroom to classroom to make sure no one was on the grounds as the police entered his classroom.
“I was contacting my son the entire time. He was confused and scared and just wanted out.”
A spokesman for Kineton High School said on Wednesday: “There has been an incident in school today which involved a call to the police shortly after 10.15am. Please be assured that the incident was contained, is over and all the pupils and staff at the school are safe.
“The schools lockdown procedure was deployed as a precautionary measure as three unidentified males were on site. Police are remaining in the area to reassure the public.
“This was an isolated incident and school has returned to its normal activities. The school remains fully open for the education of all its students. The safety and welfare of students is its most important priority.
A spokesman for Warwickshire Police said investigations into the incident were ongoing.
He added: “Police were called to a school on Banbury Road in Kineton shortly after 10.15am on Wednesday April 19.
“It is understood three youths were on the school premises and children were kept inside the school for their safety as a precaution.
“This was an isolated incident relating to local youths, which was contained and has been safely resolved. There is no wider risk to the pupils or teachers who are all safe and well.
“No offences have been established currently, however, enquiries are ongoing.
“Officers remain in the area to provide reassurance.”
