TERRIFIED pupils feared a terrorist attack when a boy in a balaclava burst into their exam room as they finished their physics GCSE.

The Bolton News understands the boy was shouting and allegedly being violent as pupils at Harper Green School, Farnworth came to the end of their examination this morning.

One pupil told how their first thought was worrying about how they could escape as a second boy joined in the incident and police were called.

A relative of a pupil who witnessed the incident told how teachers were violently attacked ‘headbutted, punched and kicked’ by two male pupils.

The disturbance, at around 10.30am, spilled outside the school building, where about half a dozen male teachers chased off the duo, who are now being sought by police.

However, a parent of one of the two boys involved claimed the incident was a prank that descended into violence and that his son's actions were 'self defence'. 

The man said: "Two pupils climbed over the back wall, running around the back yard. Then 15 teachers tried to drag them off the premises. My son has defended himself. 

"He shouldn't have been running around the yard but there's no reason for what they have done. He has bruising all over his arms and body."

The Bolton News has seen a video which appears to show five teachers restraining a boy, who then attempts to headbutt one of them.

Greater Manchester Police say they were called to the school in Harper Green Road at 10.41am today to a report of an incident where a child misbehaving.

The Bolton News contacted Harper Green School for a comment but none has been forthcoming.

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