**Bomb Disposal Team Rushes to Derbyshire Primary School After Wartime Grenade Brought in for Show-and-Tell**
An ordinary morning assembly at Osmaston CofE Primary School in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, dramatically escalated on Friday when a pupil revealed a Second World War-era hand grenade during a show-and-tell session. The incident led to the precautionary evacuation of the entire school and the swift arrival of military bomb disposal experts.
The unexpected event unfolded as students were gathered in the school hall for their regular assembly. Initially, staff were aware that one boy was intending to bring in an old bullet casing for discussion—a plan teachers had cleared beforehand. However, the situation changed drastically when another youngster produced what appeared to be a genuine hand grenade, believed to date back to WWII.
Head teacher Jeanette Hart acted quickly once she realised what the pupil was holding. Without wanting to alarm the children, Mrs Hart discreetly took possession of the item and carefully moved it outside, placing it behind a sturdy tree in the school car park. Emergency procedures were promptly activated, with police and bomb disposal officers summoned as a matter of priority.
Reflecting on the incident, Mrs Hart described the confusion and concern that followed the discovery. “It was quite an eventful assembly,” she recounted. “I had made provisions for one child to bring in an empty bullet case, but I never anticipated a grenade being pulled from anyone’s pocket. The main thing was keeping everyone safe and avoiding a panic.”
As children and staff evacuated to a safe distance, the area around the school was cordoned off by police. Derbyshire Constabulary praised the teaching staff for their rapid and calm response, which ensured that no one was put at further risk during the ordeal. An army explosives unit was soon on site to assess the historical device, employing specialist X-ray equipment to determine whether it posed any real threat.
After thorough testing and analysis, experts confirmed that the grenade was a relic and no longer contained live explosives. The school immediately informed parents and guardians, reassuring them that at no stage had anyone been in serious danger. Police emphasised that while the grenade was not a risk, the episode should remind families to be conscious of what children might bring to school, especially items found at home which may have uncertain origins.
Speaking to local media, Mrs Hart emphasised the innocence of the child involved, explaining that the family had no idea the device was brought in and were shocked by the news. She shared that the boy, inspired by recent lessons on VE Day, had simply thought the object was an interesting war-era artefact rather than a weapon.
Derbyshire Police later issued an advisory message via social media, not only sharing their relief at the safe resolution but also offering a word of caution for parents. “We even got to see [the X-ray] images and were told, in detail, why there was nothing left inside the grenade that could cause an explosion,” read the statement. “Just a word of guidance for parents and guardians—double check what your kids are taking to show-and-tell, especially if it’s a family heirloom or historical item.”
In the aftermath, the school community has been praised for its discipline and cooperation throughout a stressful morning. The incident will undoubtedly remain a talking point in Ashbourne for some time, serving as a timely reminder of the importance of vigilance—both at schools and at home—when it comes to handling relics from the past.
While fortunately no one came to harm and the grenade posed no active threat, such occurrences highlight the unpredictable and sometimes surprising aspects of school life. The school has since resumed normal activity, with additional communications sent to parents to reiterate safety procedures and reassure the community.