A teenage boy has been arrested after a male teacher was reportedly stabbed at a school in Tewkesbury, police have said.
Officers were called to the scene at Tewkesbury Academy in the Gloucestershire town on Monday morning after the teacher was believed to be stabbed.
Gloucestershire Police said an adult was taken to hospital with a suspected stab wound following the incident shortly after 9am. The school was thrust into lockdown, with a boy currently under arrest.
Dozens of parents were seen at the school following the news, while a nearby primary school was also put into lockdown, although has assured parents all students are safe.
The school's head Kathleen McGillycuddy said all pupils were safe and well, and that staff were working with police.
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A spokesperson for the school has also confirmed classrooms were no longer locked down, with the decision made to send pupils home.
A police spokesperson said: "A teenager has been arrested in connection with the incident. 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."
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The town’s MP, Laurence Robertson, said on Twitter: “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 and everyone trying to deal with the situation.”
An update from the school - pupils are being sent home, a spokesperson for the Academy has said.
The pokesperson 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.
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“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.”
Parents outside Tewkesbury Academy (Anita Maric / SWNS)
Rishi Sunak's thoughts are with those impacted by the incident at a school in Tewkesbury, Downing Street has said.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "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."
Here's some footage from the scene this lunchtime as police continue with their presence at Tewkesbury Academy.
Gillian Keegan has expressed her concerns and well-wishes for Tewkesbury Academy following this morning's horrifying news.
The Education Secretary issued this brief statement:
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.
— Gillian Keegan MP (@GillianKeegan) July 10, 2023
Cops are also at Alderman Knight school, which is further along the road from Tewkesbury Academy where the incident occurred this morning.
These are two separate schools.
(Tom Wren / SWNS)
A male teacher required hospital treatment after reports he was stabbed by a pupil at Tewkesbury Academy.
In a statement, 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.”
(Tom Wren / SWNS)Dozens of parents have gathered at the school's gates in light of the horrifying news this morning.
Several police vehicles and ambulances are also at the school while about eight officers can be seen guarding the scene, Sky News reports. A Mirror reporter is also heading to the scene.
Nearby Tirlebrook Primary School, which is just off the main road where the secondary school is situated, has also issued guidance to parents that all pupils are safe, warning them not to come down as it may hamper the current police response.
The primary school and nursery was also locked down earlier this morning, and staff have posted this message on its Facebook page: "An incident has occurred this morning at Tewkesbury Academy 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."
Officers were called at 9.10am with reports a teacher had been stabbed by a student.
A scene is currently in place at the secondary school, which is a short distance from the town centre.
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. https://t.co/qe2pln7c8n
— Gloucestershire Constabulary (@Glos_Police) July 10, 2023
Students and staff were put on lockdown this morning after the reported stabbing, as a teenager is said to have gone on the run.
Armed officers swarmed the scene following the incident shortly after 9am.
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Emergency services are at the scene of an incident at Tewkesbury School on Ashchurch Road. The school is in lockdown while police are at the scene. More information will be released in due course.