The lockdown of a Porirua high school is believed to have been sparked by a message from a boy making threats against the school.

The mother of a student at Aotea College told the Herald her son had seen “loads of cops and loads of police cars” responding.

The mother understood some younger students had been “freaked out” after the school was told to go into lockdown as a precaution and police descended on the school.

She told the Herald she “totally feels the kids are safe”.

A mother waiting outside the school said more police were continuing to arrive. She understood officers were searching students’ bags.

”I just got out of my car to sit under a tree and the cop told me to get back in my car.”

Another mother got angry at a police officer, telling him her son was “still under the table”.

”When is this over?” she asked.

The officer replied: “it will go for as long as it goes for.”

The threat comes the same day as the NZQA Level 1 Music, Level 2 Accounting and Level 3 History exams.

A post on the school’s social media said the school had closed on the advice of police, and that an “organised exit” of student would be arranged as the school exits lockdown.

A police car outside Aotea College after the school received a threat.

Any students who were supposed to be sitting their exams will need to go to the nearby Mana College, Porirua College, Bishop Viard College, Tawa College or Whitby College where they can take the exams.

“All of these schools are prepared to accept any Aotea College students for afternoon exams.”

A police spokesperson told NZME that they are in attendance at the college following a threat received towards the school.

“Officers are working to determine the validity of the threat.”

The post on the school’s Facebook group said that parents could come and collect their children once the lockdown was lifted - but would not be allowed on site.

“Parents may collect students from Okowai Rd and Frances Brown entrance. Parents will not be allowed to come on site.”