Teacher stabbed in school attack breaks silence as teen boy is charged

11 July 2023 , 19:50

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A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged this evening (Image: PA)

A maths teacher who was stabbed in a horror attack at school has spoken out for the first time, while police have charged a teenage boy.

Dramatic scenes at Tewkesbury Academy in Gloucestershire yesterday saw the school locked down and a teacher rushed to hospital following the shock knife attack, with two neighbouring schools also asked to shut their doors as a "precaution".

A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged this evening with section 18 attempt wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article on school premises.

He will remain in police custody tonight before appearing at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court tomorrow. After leaving hospital, victim Jamie Sansom has said he is "recovering well" - and now hopes to be back in the classroom before the summer break.

Tewkesbury School was put on lockdown (PA)

The teacher is due to move to another school at the end of the term, and wants to be able to say his farewells as planned.

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He also responded to speculation that he was intervening in a fight between students, saying this is "simply not true".

Mr Sansom said in a statement: "On police advice, I can't comment in detail about what happened, but I do want to address some misinformation which has been circulating in coverage of yesterday's incident.

Dramatic scenes at Tewkesbury Academy in Gloucestershire yesterday saw the school locked down (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

"It is simply not true to say that I was intervening in a fight between students. In my view, there was no point at which Tewkesbury students faced any direct threat.

"I am pleased to say that I am recovering well. I was well looked after at Gloucester Royal, and by the police, and I'm grateful for that. My thanks to everyone who helped put me on the road to what is expected to be a full recovery.

"I have received more than one hundred messages of support, which has been a big boost. It was hugely uplifting to know I had that support behind me, and I want to thank all of my colleagues and the parents at Tewkesbury Academy who have taken the time to reach out. It has meant a lot.

Teacher Jamie Sansom who was stabbed during an incident at Tewkesbury Academy

"I hope to be well enough soon to visit the school to thank people in person. And if doctors give me the all-clear, I hope to be back in the classroom before the summer break. I'm due to move to a new school at the end of the year, and it would mean a lot to me to have the opportunity to say goodbye before I move on.

The school reopened on Tuesday following careful assessment and consultation with the police.

A Tewkesbury Academy spokesperson said: "We feel it is important for our students to be able to return to a sense of normality in their school, where we will be providing a range of additional mental and emotional support for students and staff."

However there will be a police presence at the school for the coming days to provide reassurance.

Speaking to reporters outside the school on Monday afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone of Gloucestershire Police said: "At this stage, the motivation behind the attack is unclear but at this time there is no evidence to suggest it is terrorism-related."

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Tewkesbury Academy, a state secondary school for 11 to 18-year-olds, is part of the Cabot Learning Federation, a multi-academy trust responsible for a number of academies in the south west of England.

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas