AN emergency evacuation of a Poole school took place following a gas leak on the second day of the new term.

All of the 600 pupils and all the staff at Ashdown Technology College, Canford Heath rapidly left the school buildings after the alarm was raised yesterday morning.

The 12 to 18-year-old pupils abandoned their lessons and were ushered outside to gather on a school field, away from the escaping gas.

The leak occurred in a gas main in a playing field while contractors were preparing the ground for the installation of site offices.

Haymoor Middle School on the same site was not affected, but the nearby Everyone Active Leisure Centre had to be evacuated.

The gas supply to the school was switched off for the remainder of the day as a precaution and the gas company was called in.

Students remained out of their lessons for around half an hour before resuming their school day and the leisure centre re-opened although there were no hot showers.

“We were informed that contractors on site had broken a mains gas pipe while installing new site offices,” said a Borough of Poole spokesman.

“All staff and children were quickly and safely evacuated to the school playing field before the gas supply was isolated and they were allowed to return to school. The school’s evacuation procedure worked well.

“When major works are carried out these incidents can occur and we will be carrying out a full investigation with Balfour Beatty.”

Work has begun on a £15 million project to build a new two-storey extension near the school’s current entrance.

Main contractor Balfour Beatty started work on the two-year scheme during the summer; it is part of the borough’s change in the age of transfer.

It includes a large refurbishment programme and will provide additional accommodation for Year 7 students who will join the school for the first time from September 2013.