10 July 2023 , 09:41
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A school has lifted a lockdown and sent pupils home after a "student stabbed a teacher and went on the run".
Armed officers swarmed the scene at Tewkesbury Academy, in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, earlier this morning after reports a male teacher was stabbed.
A teenage boy has since been arrested while the teacher was taken to hospital.
Around 100 parents and carers were seen outside the school, despite being told not to attend or call the office and urged to visit a nearby garden centre instead.
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.
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“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 force stated: "An adult has been taken to hospital with a suspected stab wound following an incident at Tewkesbury School. We were called around 9.10am today (Monday) with a report a pupil had stabbed a teacher. A teenage boy has been arrested in connection with the incident."
The identity of the teacher or the student has not so far been released.
(Anita Maric / SWNS)People have taken to social media to express their concern including those from families of children at the school.
One person wrote: "Hope everyone is ok," and another similarly wrote "scary hope all are OK."
A person wrote on Facebook: "Hope everyone is as okay as can thinking of all the staff and students and their families."
Staff at the nearby Tirlebrook Primary School wrote on Facebook read: "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.
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"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.
(Anita Maric / SWNS)"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.
"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. "
Erica Farley, who has a child attending Tewkesbury Academy, told the PA news agency: "As an ex-emergency services member, this is a very sad and worrying time for Tewkesbury School.
"As a parent, I am obviously concerned for my son, but very happy in the knowledge that the staff at the school and the police have provided an incredible response in keeping our children safe and have brought this to a swift conclusion.
"It is worrying that these things can happen in any school and all the more important that as parents we take responsibility for teaching our children awareness of the destructive nature of this type of incident.
"As a family, our thoughts go out to the teacher concerned and hope for a speedy recovery."
Parents outside Tewkesbury Academy (Anita Maric / SWNS)Parents have also expressed concern about the lack of information on the incident.
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said: “We were called at 9.08am to an incident in Tewkesbury on Monday 10 July.
“We sent three double-crewed land ambulances and two operations officers. We conveyed one patient by land to Gloucester Royal Hospital.”
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said she was "deeply concerned" by the news while a spokesperson for Downing Street said the Prime Minister's thoughts were with the school.
Local MP Laurence Robertson said: “I’m deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the terrible incident at Tewkesbury School this morning. My thoughts are with everyone at the scene.
“And my thanks to the staff, police, Dobbies [garden centre] and everyone trying to deal with the situation.”