Marling and Stroud High pupils’ Christmas ball shut down early after packets of white powder discovered in toilets

Police were called to the Stroud High and Marling School’s Snow Ball at Cheltenham Racecourse on Tuesday night after the six small bags of suspected drugs were found.

Staff at the Racecourse venue cancelled the event immediately and 17 and 18–year-old pupils were asked to leave just after 9.30pm – three hours before the scheduled finish.

No one was arrested and police are now investigating the powder – which they believe it was a former legal high which has recently been banned.

The party is organised every year by pupils from the grammars, but friends from other schools in the area are also invited along.

It is unclear whether the suspected 'psychoactive substance' was brought to the party by pupils at the two grammars.

Neither staff nor parents from Stroud High or Marling has any involvement in planning or holding the winter ball.

A spokesman from Gloucestershire police said officers were called to the Racecourse at 10.50pm.

“Officers attended and collected the evidence and are conducting inquiries into the incident. No arrests have yet been made,” he said.

“The event was closed down by the venue at around 9.30pm because packets of a white powder were found in the toilet.

“We’re continuing inquiries into whether the substance is what has formerly been a legal high but would now constitute a banned psychoactive substance.

“While the event was for sixth form pupils we are not sure at this time if the drugs are linked to a student.

“Our licensing team will be meeting with staff from the sixth form next week to discuss the matter and further inquiries are taking place around the drugs found.”

Marling headteacher Dr Stuart Wilson said: “We are aware that an event in Cheltenham attended by students from the Stroud area was closed early by the venue and that police were in attendance. Consequently, we have spoken with the police and continue to liaise with them.

"We take the wider education of young people very seriously and our extensive programme across years 12 and 13, including drugs and alcohol awareness, is designed to enable young people to make informed choices and stay safe when they are outside school.”

Mark McShane, head teacher at Stroud High, said: “Young people want to enjoy themselves at this time of year and we support the police in helping them understand the risks associated with alcohol.

“We want to encourage parents and our students to talk together about the potential risks and we want, above all things, for them to be safe when they are at events and parties.

“Whilst as a school we do not organise social events we believe there is a great deal of common sense in the message from the police and we feel a responsibility to share it.

“Last week we distributed their letter along with information from our Head of Sixth Form, Mr Peter John"

The police spokesman added: “We have noticed an increase in young people “pre-loading” with drinks, arriving at parties already intoxicated and then becoming vulnerable.

“We don’t want these events to end as we recognise they’re an important rite of passage but we are just urging parents to have a discussion with their children and understand what they are doing.

“We also need young people to look after each other and make sure their friends aren’t left at risk.

“Licensed premises have been made very aware of their responsibilities when it comes to not serving anyone who is underage too but it is noticeable that fewer venues are willing to host these events because of the associated disruption and risks they can present."

The early eviction from the venue meant dozens of stranded teenagers had to find alternative ways home, re-book taxis, and call their parents to pick them up earlier than expected.

Many ‘legal highs’ used by young people were banned in spring 2016 after the government brought in the Psychoactive Substances Act.

Cheltenham Racecourse have not responded to the SNJ’s request to comment.