THE Khalsa Academy site is safe for pupils and staff, according to the Department for Education, after concerns were published over possible ground contamination.

Parents and pupils appear to be fearful the soil at the site could be contaminated because of old work that was carried out in the area.

Before the DfE purchased Pioneer House, in Stoke Poges, last year they carried out soil checks looking for contamination in the former research institute area.

A DfE spokesman told the school: “I can confirm that the Department conducted appropriate and detailed environmental site investigations at Pioneer House to inform the decision about whether to acquire it or not.

“The results of the investigation did not raise concerns about the safety of the site, hence the decision to acquire it.

“As you know, the safety of children is of paramount importance to the department and we would not have acquired Pioneer House if there was any evidence that it would be unsafe for use.”

In a letter home to parents from the Chair of Governors and the school’s Principal they attempted to allay fears.

They said: “We were therefore reassured and continue to be reassured that there is no risk to the safety of the pupils or staff at the school.

“However, despite this reassurance we wanted to remove all areas identified no matter how slight by carrying out the removal of some small areas of soil as a precautionary measure.”