Raided school 'knew nothing' about power station protesters

The school where 114 suspected protesters were arrested in connection with a plot to demonstrate at a power station said today that it knew nothing about the plans.

Police swooped on the Iona School in Sneinton Dale, Nottingham, yesterday, saying the suspects, who were meeting at the school, posed "a serious threat" to the nearby Ratcliffe-On-Soar plant.

Those arrested have now been interviewed and released on bail, a spokeswoman for Nottinghamshire Police said earlier.

Today Richard Moore, a teacher at the school, said no-one had permission to hold a meeting there.

In a statement, he said: "We are as shocked as anyone else to discover the events that had taken place on our premises.

"We had, and have, no knowledge of these activities and any access to the premises was completely unauthorised.

"We are distressed by the level of damage that has been done to the school and about the disruption of both school and nursery provision.

"We are asking the police for a full account of how access to the premises was obtained. Once we know this, we will be conducting our own inquiry into the security of the school site."

Children at the school are due to return in two weeks' time but the nursery was due to open today.

It was unable to do so as workmen set about repairing doors damaged during the raid in the early hours of yesterday.

More than 80 children aged three to 12 attend the school. As a Steiner school it concentrates on ensuring youngsters enjoy their childhood.