A 'powercut' at St Julian's School has cut phone lines and seen children sent home

A spokesman from Gwent Police confirmed yesterday's evacuation was triggered by a fire alarm, but stressed no fire was actually detected on the school site.

Children were taken out of the school building, and police atteded to support of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The alarm was believed to be triggered by a fault underground, which caused a power failure.

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A REPORTED power failure at a Newport school has led to children being sent home early.

St Julian's School in Newport have started sending students home who are aged 16 and over.

Phone lines and communications are said to be down at the school, who shared the message through their social media accounts.

We are currently experiencing a power failure across the school. We are going to be sending Post 16 students home shortly. All other years are currently in school. Further information will follow shortly. As a result phones lines and comms are currently down. Thank you.

— St Julian's School (@StJuliansSchool) February 4, 2019

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A spokeswoman for Newport City Council said: "Following a power cut this morning, the headteacher of St Julian’s School – in conjuction with the chair of governors – took the decision to close the school.

"Messages were sent to parents and guardians, but the school remained open until the usual time for pupils whose parents or guardians could not be contacted.

"At all times, the school’s priority was the safety of pupils and staff and all necessary precautions were taken.

"Newport City Council’s property managers and the power company were on site today to investigate the cause of the problem and to rectify it as soon as possible."

A school spokesman later said the school would be open as normal to all pupils and staff on Tuesday, and thanked parents for their understanding.