Tewkesbury Academy in lockdown after 'pupil stabs teacher'

Teacher suffered single stab wound at Gloucestershire school

Police and ambulance crews were called to Tewkesbury Academy on Monday. PA

A secondary school in England was locked down after a stabbing in which a teacher was injured.

A teenager who fled the scene of the incident at Tewkesbury Academy in Gloucestershire was later arrested by armed police officers on suspicion of attempted murder. A knife was recovered.

Police said the teacher is in a "stable condition" after suffering a single stab wound, and head teacher Kathleen McGillycuddy said all pupils at the school in Tewkesbury were safe.

Pupil Katie Gardiner, 12, was collected from school by her parents Martyn and Julia Gardiner.

"It was quite scary as we had never had anything like that before. My old primary school also got shut down," she told the Press Association news agency. "The teachers did a really good job of keeping us calm and making sure we had fun."

About 100 people gathered on the road outside the school. Parents were urged not to attend the site or phone the school office.

“It was initially thought that the suspect had fled the scene and hidden himself in the school grounds,” Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said.

Emergency services at Tewkesbury School in Gloucestershire. PA

“Our officers, including specialist trained armed police, attended and carried out a thorough search.

“This search was both complex and meticulous in nature as we sought to ensure there were no further injured parties as well as seeking the arrest of the suspect.

“The academy was locked down and two neighbouring schools were asked to close their doors as a precaution.

“Specialist resources, including the National Police Air Service and plain-clothed officers, were deployed to search the wider area, and thanks to their efforts the suspect was safely arrested by firearms officers in Stoke Orchard at 11am," Mr Ocone said.

Bystanders wait outside the school. PA

Parents of pupils at the school were advised to gather to a nearby garden centre.

“We appreciate that this morning has been a worrying time for all associated with Tewkesbury. We are writing to reassure you that all pupils remain safe and well,” she said in a note to pupils' families," Ms McGillycuddy said.

“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.

Ms McGillycuddy added: “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.”

Neighbouring schools also triggered emergency procedures.

Teachers at the nearby Tirlebrook Primary School posted on Facebook saying their school had also been locked down, urging parents not to come to the school.

“An incident has occurred this morning at Tewkesbury Academy and we have been advised by Tewkesbury Police to put in place a lockdown,” they said.

“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."

Tewkesbury Academy is a state secondary school for 11 to 18 year olds. An Ofsted report published in January said the mixed comprehensive "requires improvement".

Downing Street said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's thoughts were with those affected by the incident and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said she was monitoring events.

“I am deeply concerned by reports of a stabbing at Tewkesbury School,” she said.

“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.”