An independent boys' school in Moor Park has been ordered to improve its measures for dealing with the potentially-health damaging material asbestos.

Northwood Preparatory School was handed two notices to improve its staff training and management system for the dangerous material by a government watchdog last year.

The school, in Sandy Lodge Lane, has said the notices releated to administrative issues which have since been solved and added that the regulations surrounding asbestos were complex.

The news comes after the Health and Safety Executive randomly inspected 164 independent and foundation schools between November last year and June.

The checks revealed that nearly 20 percent of schools had unacceptable procedures in place for dealing with asbestos and a total of on 28 schools were issued orders telling them to improve their arrangements.

The executive also provided informal advice to a further 110 schools.

Geoff Cox, the head of the Health and Safety Executive’s public services sector, said: “Most schools were able to demonstrate good levels of awareness and compliance with the asbestos regulations and that’s encouraging.

"But this inspection initiative did highlight that there is still confusion in some schools over roles and responsibilities."

The watchdog said asbestos that is in good condition and remains undamaged does not pose any significant health risk if managed properly.

Yet if asbestos fibres become airborne they can contribute to fatal and debilitating conditions such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

The material was widely used in construction from the 1950s until the 1980s, when it was discovered to be dangerous.

Dr. Trevor Lee, the school’s headteacher said: “Our school is a world class organisation, which places the utmost importance on the safety of our pupils and staff.

“The items that a number of schools came into question over were related to administrative processes only, which can be missed when it comes to the complex regulations surrounding asbestos.

“We have taken immediate action and I am delighted that we are now fully compliant with all regulations.”