A teenage pupil found with a fake firearm has been excluded from school.

The 14-year-old was discovered with the fake gun at Holy Trinity Church of England Secondary School in Buckswood Drive, Crawley on Tuesday at 12.45pm.

The school reported the matter to the police and has excluded the boy, who lives in Crawley, from all lessons. He might face being permanently expelled.

The boy was quizzed at Crawley police station about where he got the gun and has been ordered to report back next week.

Reverend Malcolm Liles, chairman of the governors, praised the school's response. He said: "As far as I know, they have adopted the right course of action, which was to call the police. I understand the boy was taken to the police station to be interviewed and was bailed until next week.

"The boy was excluded from school and the head has put a letter on the school website restating the school's policy on firearms and other dangerous items."

Mr Liles said retailers should be held to account for items they sell to teenagers.

In Pease Pottage on Monday, November 19, a taxi driver was held up for his takings with a replica gun or water pistol. The offenders, who are still at large are thought to be teenagers.

Mr Liles said: "The people who import these things need to have more responsiblity than just selling them, just like arms manufacturers need to have more responsiblity."

In an open letter to parents and guardians on the school's website, headteacher Peter Wickert said the school would take very seriously any reports of pupils bringing in banned items and offensive weapons.

He wrote: "Yesterday it was reported that a pupil had been seen with what was thought to be a firearm. As a precautionary measure police were called and an item was found which is now with the police. We were informed at the time that the weapon appeared to be a replica weapon.

"We have a very strict prohibited items policy in this school and this policy can be seen on our website. Can I reinforce the statement that any pupils who breach this policy will face very serious sanctions which include permanent exclusion.

"May I point out that our priority here is the health and safety of all pupils and staff at this school, and we will continue to ensure that this remains the case."

A spokesman for West Sussex County Council said: "As the matter is still under investigation, the school cannot say more at this stage."

On the school's banned list are jewellery, chewing gum, solvent, aerosols, stink bombs, fireworks and explosive devices, imitation weapons including BB guns, illegal drugs including alcohol and cigarettes, lighters and matches and valuable items such as iPods and MP3 players.

The school, which has 1,300 pupils, says it has a "zero tolerance" policy against prohibited items and takes tough action against those who break the rules.

Four 14-year-old girls were expelled in January, 2006 for snorting cocaine off a toilet cistern before a lesson.

Six months later, two girls aged between 14 and were excluded for having cannabis.

Holy Trinity regularly comes top in Crawley for GCSE and A-Level results. This year's A-Level and AS-Level results were among the highest for comprehensive schools nationally, with 49 per cent of A-Level grades at A or B. At GCSE, 73 per cent of pupils gained five or more grades from A* to C, the highest percentage in the school's history.

The school's website claims many pupils have gone on to Oxford or Cambridge universities.