A PRIMARY school is launching an investigation after a pupil went missing and was later found by a passer-by crouching next to a bin.

The youngster, thought to be aged about seven, from Rodbourne Cheney Primary School, in The Broadway, left the building on Tuesday at about 11am.

And it is understood he was found by a member of the public next to a yellow grit bin at the end of the road in The Broadway.

Wiltshire Police say they were not informed of the missing pupil.

The school has confirmed a child did leave the building unaccompanied but stressed the youngster was found immediately.

A spokesman said the school will now be reviewing its safeguarding procedures as a result of the incident.

A woman who contacted the Advertiser about the incident, but does not want to be named, said: “I think he was around seven years old.

“Nobody was out looking for him and he must have been gone for around 15 minutes.

“It is disgusting, I’m shocked and can’t believe it.

“If he hadn’t been found who knows what would have happened. It doesn’t bear thinking about.”

A spokesman from The White Horse Federation, a multi-academy supporting primary, secondary and special schools which oversees Rodbourne Cheney in its remit said: “Yes, there was an incident where a child wilfully left the school premises.

“The child was found almost immediately but nevertheless The White Horse Federation, because of its robust safeguarding procedures, will ensure an independent and external review of safeguarding procedures and an overarching investigation regarding additional risks will be undertaken.

“The school is very grateful that the parents are working collaboratively with us to ensure there is no re-occurrence of this.”

It is believed a complaint has now also been made to Ofsted, although the education watchdog does not confirm or discuss specific incidents.

A spokesman said one of the ways in which complaints are followed up is through an inspection.

“We treat all complaints seriously,” he said.

“ If we do receive complaints we do investigate them and take actions.

“They are rigorously looked at and dealt with as quickly as possible.”