An investigation was under way this afternoon after a teenager was discovered pretending to be a pupil at a Telford school as a prank.

The 16-year-old boy was spotted at Sutherland Business and Enterprise College in Trench during morning break today by a member of staff who realised the boy was not a pupil. 

Police were called when the boy became abusive to school staff. He had gone from school premises by the time police officers arrived. School bosses said there was no danger to other pupils as a result of the incident.

It is understood that the boy had gone to the school, pretending to be a pupil for the day as part of a joke with a friend.

It is believed he managed to remain unnoticed at the school until pupils and teachers left the classroom for the first break of the day.

Education chiefs today said he was wearing clothes similar to the school’s uniform and added it was a “prank that went wrong”.

The boy was escorted off the premises by staff and nobody was harmed in the incident.

Russell Griffin, spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council said: “I can confirm that a pupil from a different school was today discovered on the premises at Sutherland Business and Enterprise College during the morning break.”

Mr Griffin said the youth, who has not been identified, was apprehended by a member of staff who deals with behavioural problems at the school and was then escorted from the premises.

He added: “The incident was a prank that went wrong and there was no danger to other pupils.

“The school has established procedures for monitoring the safety and well being of all students and an internal investigation is under way to ensure that these procedures remain fully affective.”

Chris Ammonds, spokesman for Telford police confirmed they had attended the school after being contacted by staff.

He said: “We received reports at 11.22am about an individual being abusive and offensive towards staff.

“We responded and spoke to the staff and gave them advise and reassurance.

“We advised them to contact police again if the individual returned after an area search found no trace of the person concerned,” he added.