MORE than 800 pupils at Royds Hall High School were sent home yesterday after being drenched in the rain after evacuating for a fire alarm.
Headteacher Dr Wendy Bradford said the children were evacuated after the alarm sounded at about 10am.
After a thorough soaking in the pouring rain, a decision was taken to allow the children to go home.
Dr Bradford stressed that the fire alarm was not deliberately triggered.
She said: "It was set off by a fault in the system which the service contractors, Jarvis, and the local education authority are looking into.
"The children were outside for about half an hour and were sent home on health grounds after they were outside in a torrential downpour. The school closure procedure was followed and it was very calm and organised but I am cross that we have lost a day of teaching and learning."
