Tewkesbury school: Teenage boy arrested for 'attempted murder' after stabbing teacher with

A TEENAGE boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed a teacher before the male was rushed to hospital.

Tewkesbury School, on Ashchurch Road, in Gloucestershire, was surrounded by emergency services after it was locked down this morning.

Cops were called to the scene around 9am after receiving reports a pupil had stabbed a staff member.

The male teacher was rushed to hospital with a suspected stab wound injury after he was reportedly knifed in one of the corridors.

Police have this afternoon said he remains in a stable condition.

A teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the attack.

READ MORE ON UK NEWS

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone held a press conference at the school this afternoon.

He said the teen was detained around 11am by armed cops in the nearby area.

His motivation is not yet clear but it is not being treated as terror-related.

The force said he fled the school site before being found with a knife on him.

Most read in The Sun

Cheif Const Ocone added: "Just after 9am we received a call from someone telling us about a threat to a teacher at Tewkesbury Academy.

"Minutes later we received a call from the ambulance service telling us that a male teacher had been stabbed in a corridor at the school.

"He was taken to hospital with a single stab wound and remains in a stable condition."

"This was clearly a very distressing incident and our thoughts are with the victim, their family and everyone impacted by what happened here at the school.

"We are working with the school and other agencies to ensure appropriate support is available and local people will see more police in the area over the coming days as the investigation continues."

Pictures from the scene showed multiple patrol cars, vans and six unmarked cars at the school gates.

Cops were also speaking with concerned parents at the entrance.

Local residents reported sightings of helicopters and around three ambulances.

We received a call from someone telling us about a threat to a teacher at Tewkesbury Academy

The force said this morning: "An adult has been taken to hospital with a suspected stab wound following an incident at Tewkesbury School.

"Police were called around 9.10am today (Monday 10 July) with a report a pupil had stabbed a teacher.

"A teenage boy has been arrested in connection with the incident.

"Parents or carers of pupils at the school are being advised to go to Dobbies Garden Centre on Diamond Road where police will be able to offer assistance."

It is understood parents were informed around 9.30am and asked not to call the school or show up.

Martyn and Julia Gardiner, the parents of Year 7 student Katie, 12, said they couldn't relax until they saw their daughter.

Julia said the school let pupils turn on their phones to let everyone know they were safe.

She added: "We are really relieved to see her.

"We know she has been safe for many, many hours but until you actually see them you don't know.

"Hearing about it this morning felt very strange - it doesn't happen here.

"I know it sounds a cliche and you see it happening on the news in other places.

"We had a message from the school saying they had gone into lockdown, which was obviously quite frightening, and they would update us.

"They were all locked in the classrooms, so they were allowed to turn their phones on and I got a text message to say she was OK.

"They had quite a lot of fun with sweets and doing a geography quiz and the teachers did a fantastic job keeping everyone calm.

"The worst always goes through your head when you see everything happening at other schools."

In a statement earlier, the school's headteacher Kathleen McGillycuddy said: "We appreciate that this morning has been a worrying time for all associated with Tewkesbury Academy.

"We are writing to reassure you that all pupils remain safe and well.

"We were alerted shortly before 9am this morning to reports of a serious incident which left a male member of staff in need of hospital treatment.

"The school was locked down and police were called immediately when we became aware of this incident.

"We have since been taking advice from the police on when and how to share updates with you.

"In the last few minutes police have arrested a teenage boy in connection with this incident.

"In conjunction with police advice the lockdown remains in place as a precaution.

"We hope to be able to provide a further update once cleared by Police in the near future.

"Thank you for patience and understanding at this difficult time."

The worst always goes through your head when you see everything happening at other schools

The lockdown has now been lifted and schoolkids are being sent home.

A statement to parents on the school's website said: "We are now able to send children home but need to receive your consent in order to do so safely.

"Parents should arrive at Dobbies Garden Centre from 1pm where the police will co-ordinate the parents of each year group arriving at the academy to ensure every child leaves safely and efficiently."

"Hundreds" of worried parents were reportedly outside the school after news broke this morning.

One said: "[It's a] shame Tewkesbury school can’t let us parents know what’s happening."

Another added: "All we were sent was an email to say the school is in lockdown and not to ring or go there.

"Then everyone's sees armed police, ambulance, helicopters.

"Us parents will think the worst, especially those with children either not answering their phone or it's off.

''So many people saying what is happening but no facts. And then this post from the police.

"The school is going to get ALOT of complaints."

Another said: "[I] hope and pray everyone is OK. How scary for all involved."

A message sent out read: "A message to all parents and carers: Tewkesbury Academy has gone into lockdown this morning.

"Please do not attend the site or ring. We will make more information available shortly."

A Tewkesbury Academy spokesman previously said: "Shortly before 9am today, staff were alerted to a serious incident which left a male member of staff in need of hospital treatment.

"School leaders immediately contacted police and placed the site into lockdown in line with our robust safeguarding procedures.

"Police have been on site throughout the morning and supporting us to ensure pupils were kept safe and secure while the incident was investigated.

"Officers have since arrested a teenage boy in connection with this incident.

"We will now be following police guidance in how to ease the lockdown before releasing students to return home.

"No decision has yet been made on when the school will reopen, but we will be drawing up plans to support our students and staff in the wake of this incident.

"We are grateful to all our staff, parents and students for their patience and understanding during what has been a difficult morning, while our thoughts are with our injured colleague - we wish him a swift and successful recovery."

A spokesperson for PM Rishi Sunak said his thoughts are with those affected.

They added: "It is a live investigation, but the Prime Minister's thoughts are with the individual who has been injured and with the staff and pupils of the school who would obviously be extremely concerned.

"He wants to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response."

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: "I am deeply concerned by reports of a stabbing at Tewkesbury School.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and remain hugely grateful to the emergency services who are currently on the scene.

"My department is on hand to support the school as the situation unfolds."

Nearby school Tirlebrook Primary was also urged to keep pupils and staff inside while officers dealt with the issue.

Posting on Facebook the primary school said: "Dear Families, an incident has occurred this morning at Tewkesbury Academy (Tewkesbury School) and we have been advised by Tewkesbury Police to put in place a lock down.

"We have a police presence at school and are being fully supported at this time.

"We would like to reassure all families that children at Tirlebrook and Little Oaks are safe and well.

"We must ask that families do not come to school during this time as this could compromise the police operation currently underway and also compromise the safety of the children.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

"During this situation all school staff will be supporting the children and liaising with the police so we would ask that you do not attempt to communicate with the school office.

"We thank you all for your support and will update you as soon as possible when we know more."

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErKynZpOke7a3jqecsKtfZ396hZRwZ29npJrErLHSm6yrsV2osKm7zqVkpaeToLKlecOorqdlk6S9tHnIp5qinJWjwXA%3D