Pupils sent home after creepy-crawlies prank

S5 and S6 youngsters in Perth claim they were barred from Muck Up Day

Senior pupils at a Perth secondary school were sent home en masse after pranksters wreaked havoc with worms and beetles in the dining hall.

Teachers at Perth High School took the decision to dismiss all S5 and S6 pupils after a leaving-day stunt at lunchtime turned to pandemonium.

And protesting students at neighbouring Perth Academy claim they were barred from entering their building yesterday, amid fears of more mayhem on the final day before exam leave – otherwise known as Muck Up Day.

Most parents were told on Thursday evening to keep their children off school.

Pupils staged a mini-demonstration against the decision at the academy gates yesterday morning and took to social media to voice their disgust.

One teenager wrote: “I’d like to give a special shout out to Perth Academy for robbing me of the chance to officially say goodbye to my mates.”

Pupils said school management, including head teacher John Lothian, decided on Thursday to scrap lessons the following day, effectively barring all of S5 and S6.

Perth and Kinross Council claim staff simply wanted to start study leave – due to begin on Tuesday – a bit earlier.

A spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that the decision was taken by Perth Academy senior management to bring the start of study leave for fifth and sixth year students forward by one day to Friday April 28.

“The expectation is that fifth and sixth year students sitting exams will use today as study leave to prepare for their exams as there are no scheduled classes for them.

“This does not, however, prevent any student from attending appointments at the school nor from handing in coursework; indeed the school has already contacted a number of students to make individual arrangements regarding their coursework.”

However, the council declined to explain the reason behind the decision. The spokeswoman would not be drawn on claims that staff were worried about Muck Up Day pranks.

Pupils were also spotted outside Perth Academy, showering the road with eggs and flour.

Youngsters went into the dining hall at lunchtime, armed with containers of beetles and worms.

Cleaners were drafted in to clear up the dining area after the lunchtime invasion.

The council’s spokeswoman said: “The council is aware that there have been some isolated incidents of pupil misbehaviour at some of our secondary schools in Perth today.

“These have been dealt with appropriately by school staff.

“Our schools strongly promote positive behaviour so these incidents are disappointing to note.”

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Pupils at Perth Academy staged a mini-demonstration after being advised to stay away from school after their study leave was brought forward a day early.