PUPILS were given a police escort after being attacked at the school gates.

Trouble flared outside St Columba's Catholic Boys' School on Monday morning as students were making their way along Halcot Avenue.

White youths, claiming to be members of the RA gang, were dropped off by car outside the school, and launched an attack on some of the school's black pupils.

Police were called as staff stepped in to stop the fighting.

About 30 minutes earlier, fighting had broken out between rival groups in Bexleyheath Broadway.

Within an hour of the attack at the school gates, police spotted the car which had dropped off the youths.

A 13-year-old was arrested and taken to Bexleyheath police station for questioning.

Police inspector Phil Moore said four Safer Neighbourhood officers and four officers from the rapid response teams were on duty to escort pupils from the school to catch their buses home in Bexleyheath Broadway, to prevent any further trouble.

A similar escort was arranged for yesterday morning.

Headteacher Bart Cannon said the white youths had been aggressive and racist.

He said: "This incident is rare and the school wants to reassure all parents.

"We maintain a secure site and pupil welfare is paramount."

Two years ago, a number of pupils were expelled following fighting between gangs of black and white pupils inside the school.