HOLYROOD Academy has closed a path near the school as a spate of anti-social behaviour hit the school. 

Students at the school have been deemed 'at risk' after three students were allegedly assaulted after leaving the school grounds in the last month. 

Holyrood Academy posted on their website and sent text alerts to parents to warn them of the anti social behaviour and encourage students to take a different route home. 

A post on the school website said: "Due to an increasing situation of anti social behaviour by young people who do not attend Holyrood Academy we will be closing the path to the Co-op store from  December 9 2016.

"This is due to issues that have put our students in a position of risk.

"In the first instance, this will be for the rest of this term and then the situation will be reviewed.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, but this action is in response to an increasing concern we have about the safety of our students.

"The police have been informed."

Matt Collins, Holyrood Academy Headteacher told Chard and Ilmister News: "There has been a large group of youths gathering at the end of path under the archway near to the Coop store.

"Some are former students, some are not. 

"There is a really intimidating atmosphere down the path. 

"Students have been grabbed and assaulted near the archway and parents have phoned the school saying they don't feel their children are safe. 

"There is a fence round the school to ensure that students are secure on the premesis. 

"After this behaviour occured and after calls from parents, we took the decision to close the path and advise parents to encourage their children to take another route home as the safety of our students is our top priority. 

"We sent out text alerts and will put something online to warn parents of these changes."

Mr Collins added that a higher police presence around the school is needed to ensure children are safe getting home. 

Sam Davison, deputy headteacher said police involvement around the school should be increased but understands the service is under resourced. 

She said: "Students have been assaulted on their way home from school. 

"We have been working with the police and have been staffing the path. 

"Children are not safe when leaving school and police have been contacted about this. 

"The police have been down here twice after we reported the situation but we feel more involvement is needed. 

" 3 students have been assaulted by young people not connected to the school in the last three weeks.

"We will continue to work closely with the police but they are so under resourced they can't help us."

Sergeant Rob Jameson, Sergeant for Chard with Avon and Somerset Police said: " We have been made aware of a number of antisocial behaviour related incidents in the vicinity of Holyrood Academy and are happy they have been dealt with appropriately by the school.

"We take all reports of anti social behaviour seriously and when proportionate will take more formal action. 

"We have a positive relationship with the schools management and will continue to work closely with them to address any concerns they or parents of pupils attending the school have."