A HEADTEACHER of a school that experienced a chemical spillage last week has praised the work of emergency services.

Firefighters and ambulance crews attended St Joseph’s School in Launceston last Tuesday afternoon, November 15, after there was a spillage of potassium permanganate in one of the school’s laboratories.

Headteacher Oliver Scott said in line with school policy, departmental risk assessment and best practice, this was reported to the appropriate authorities.

He added: “Their action was to send both medical, fire and hazchem individuals to the school, which was very heartening to see as well as very dramatic for the children.”

He added of those who attended the incident: “They were very professional, helpful and did a superb job. They checked the children over and realised there was nothing to worry about.

“No students or staff have been hospitalised at all.”

Mr Scott said they were instructed to leave the door to the chemistry room open overnight, and the school was open as normal the following day, Wednesday, November 16.

The school issued a statement on its website following the incident, part of which read: “The fire and ambulance services were very complimentary about the school’s handling of the situation and the processes put in place to manage the incident. They are entirely satisfied with all we have done, and have seen to the children with expertise.”

Mr Scott expressed his thanks to staff, students and parents ‘for the calm and supportive manner in which they have addressed the situation, and for their help’.

Town councillor John Conway referred to the incident at last Tuesday’s meeting of Launceston Town Council, on November 15.

He said he ‘never realised there were so many paramedic vehicles around’, adding: “They thankfully weren’t needed.”

Praising the response of emergency services, he added: “It was incredible the number of people that came from everywhere. It was just a great thing to see.”