Police were surrounding a St. John's school on Tuesday after a body was discovered in the area by a 13-year-old student who had been playing soccer.

Several Royal Newfoundland Constabulary cars were seen parked outside Beaconsfield Junior High, in the west end of the city, where officers had cordoned off a field and trees near the school.

At 1:30 p.m., a funeral home hearse arrived on the scene, and by 1:45 the body had been removed from the area.

RNC officers told CBC News the public was not in any danger.

Police say the body has been identified but they will not provide any details on the person who died until they have notified the next of kin.

A call sent home to parents of students by school administration said all students were safe and secure in class and that counselling services would be provided to anyone who needs them.

RNC officers had a field and wooded area near Beaconsfield taped off after reports that a body had been found in the area on Tuesday. (Zach Goudie/CBC)