Councillor backs principal over lockdown action

parents turned up at the gates, concerned at the lack of information.

Clr McGuin, who represents Almondbury for the Conservatives and is a former teacher himself, backed Mr Rimmer’s handling of the incident after some parents criticised what they claimed was poor communication.

He said: “I would like to send my support to the principal, Ian Rimmer, as well as all the staff and the children at King James’s School.

“The school acted in the appropriate manner throughout the incident. I have received no complaints from any parents of children at the school.

“The important thing to remember here is that the school acted to keep the children safe at all times.

“The school kept the parents informed, via text, and attempted to reassure the parents of the children’s safety.

“We live in times when you can be damned for over-reacting and damned for not acting at all.

“I am content that the school has the procedures in place to deal with incidents like this in the future.

“The important thing to remember is that no-one was hurt at King James’s and the actions taken by the school were in the best interests of everyone concerned.”

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police said “enquiries remain ongoing” into the incident.

The incident inevitably left many parents anxious about their children’s safety.

Mr Rimmer told the Examiner on Wednesday: “We are hoping to get back to normal today.”