Parents were told to keep their children home after a school received an email making threats.

Police were called at 7.37am this morning after the correspondence was sent to Astor Secondary School in Dover.

It is not known what was said in the email - but police have now confirmed it is being treated as a “non-credible threat”.

The disruption comes in the week pupils across the country will begin taking their GCSE exams.

In a message sent to parents this morning, school bosses told parents to keep their children away from the Astor Avenue comprehensive.

It said: “Due to the site needing to be thoroughly checked, we have been advised for the site to be cleared of staff and students immediately with further updates to follow.

“We will be sending students home that have already arrived; should there be any difficulties with this we will contact you directly.

“Please check with your child directly that they are aware of where they need to go.

“Please note that our phone lines remain closed for the time being.”

Police attended the school and confirmed an investigation is ongoing.

A police spokesman said: “Kent Police received a report at 7.37am that a school in Astor Avenue, Dover, had received an email making threats.

“Officers attended to advise staff and provide reassurance.

“The email is being treated as a non-credible threat and enquiries into the correspondence are ongoing.”

Astor and Kent County Council have been approached for comment.

Today’s incident comes after several schools in Northfleet and Gravesend were forced into lockdown in February after receiving an “email making threats”.

In this instance, police said the correspondence was being treated as a “non-credible threat” and being investigated.