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Two secondary schools were evacuated on Wednesday April 24 after receiving hoax bomb threats.

Islwyn High School, in Oakdale, and Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni’s Y Gwyndy campus, in Caerphilly, both received telephone calls alleging explosive devices had been placed at the schools.

Gwent Police officers were called to Islwyn High at 12pm, and Cwm Rhymni at 1.20pm. However, no explosive devices were found by police during searches at both schools.

In a letter to parents, Islwyn High headteacher Jason Hicks said: “We appreciate this may have raised some concern in the community, but please be assured that the school has robust policies and procedures in place to respond to such incidents and these were successfully implemented and tested on this occasion.”

Mr Hicks continued: “Once pupils had returned to site, lunchtime was extended accordingly to ensure all pupils could access the canteen.”

Matthew Webb, headteacher at Cwm Rhymni, said: “This afternoon, it was necessary for us to evacuate the building for a short period of time as a result of a telephone call to our Gwyndy site.

“Following advice received by the police it was not deemed necessary to evacuate the Gellihaf site [in Fleur de Lis]. This was later determined by the police to be a hoax call.”

He thanked pupils for their “maturity and calm manner” during the evacuation, and also thanked police officers and local education authority officers for their “advice and assistance”.

“We would also like to thank our staff who responded calmly and professionally in ensuring the safety of our school community.

“Needless to say, once again, we are very proud of both our pupils and staff.”

In a statement, Gwent Police said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish who made the initial phone call.

Anyone with information about the calls can contact Gwent Police on 101, quoting reference 2400132144 for Islwyn High, or reference 2400132234 for Cwm Rhymni.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.