A SCHOOLBOY has been arrested on suspicion of dealing in lethal cocaine on school premises.

Police were called to Poole High School just after midday on Monday where they arrested a 15-year-old pupil.

The teenager was questioned and has since been released on police bail.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police told the Daily Echo: “We had a call at 12.05pm with reports that it was suspected that a student may be in possession of drugs.

“A 15-year-old boy from Poole was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply. He has been bailed until early April pending further inquiries.”

Poole High School, situated in Wimborne Road, is one of the biggest secondary schools in Dorset with more than 1,700 boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 18.

It is a specialist Business and Enterprise College and was rated as a “Good” school following its last Ofsted inspection in 2011. Behaviour at the school was described as good.

Fan Heafield, head teacher, said: “We were informed early yesterday morning that a student had brought a quantity of drugs into school.

“We immediately called the police and they subsequently arrested a student.

“We are cooperating fully with the police in their ongoing inquiry. The school will always take immediate and strongest action possible in relation to any incident involving drugs.

“As this is a police matter we have no further comment to make at this time.”

The school is part of Career Academies UK, which operates 140 schools and colleges.

The group declined to comment on the arrest.

The school’s published behaviour policy warns that anyone found in possession of illegal drugs or dealing in drugs is at risk of exclusion.

Poole Town ward councillor Chris Wilson of Poole People said: “I’m not shocked, but I’m disappointed that something like that has happened. I hope it can be sorted.”

She said a working party of councillors had visited Poole High recently to look at their pastoral care and had been quite impressed with the way they looked after the needs of pupils.

Conservative town centre councillor Carol Evans said: “I must say if it’s true I’m disappointed.

“It’s a caring school and has a strong no drugs policy. I’m sure this is against the ethos of the school.”