Ryan Catholic College: Massive school plunged into lockdown as 2,000 students are locked inside classrooms

A school was plunged into lockdown for an hour following a 'serious incident' in north Queensland.

Ryan Catholic College students were forced to remain in the classroom as the incident unfolded on Canterbury Road at Kirwan, Townsville, at 12pm on Thursday.

The school has a little less than 2,000 students with 1,800 children enrolled between kindergarten to Year 12. 

The incident was sparked after two suspicious people were spotted nearby.

'A serious incident has occurred resulting in the college being placed in lockdown,' the school administration stated.

'Staff acted quickly and calmly, and all students are safe.

'Police are onsite to resolve the issue and further communication will be sent once the lockdown has been lifted.'

Teachers lifted the lockdown an hour later.