Staff praised for 'compassion' after three teachers injured in Johnstone High School incident

Teachers have been praised for their “commitment and compassion” after three high school staff and a teenager were injured in an incident at a secondary school in Renfrewshire.

Police were called to Johnstone High School around 10.45am on Friday, May 12, after a former pupil entered the school on Beith Road.

Three teachers aged 59, 48 and 34 were injured and taken to Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital, where they were discharged later that day. A 14-year-old girl was also injured.

A 16-year-old girl has been charged in connection with the incident and was due to be reported to the Scottish Children’s Reporter.

At the time, Renfrewshire Council stressed no weapons were involved and confirmed the school operated as normal afterwards.

Steven Quinn, director of children’s services, provided an update to elected members before the education and children’s services policy board on Thursday.

He praised the way school staff conducted themselves and thanked pupils for their “commendable” reaction – saying the “care and respect” they displayed for their teachers was evident.

Mr Quinn said: “As you’ll be aware, we had an incident at Johnstone High. A former pupil entered the school and in the confrontation that followed, three teachers and one pupil were injured.

“The three teachers were all treated in hospital and were discharged later that day. After the incident, the school continued as normal.

“Parents were made aware all children were safe and ward members were also kept up to date. A person has been charged by police in relation to the incident and as you’ll appreciate that limits what I can say.

“However, I’d like to take the chance to thank the staff who were involved on that day. They demonstrated a commitment and compassion in very difficult circumstances and put the wellbeing of their young people at the very heart of their actions.

“I also want to thank the young people of Johnstone High, their reaction during and since the incident was commendable.

“The care and the respect they have shown for their teachers was clear.”

Mr Quinn said he attended the school to offer support on Friday and has since been in touch with the teachers affected.

He emphasised that the safety of pupils and staff remain of “paramount importance” to the council.

Mr Quinn added: “My team have also been on hand to offer any support staff and pupils at the school could need and we will continue to do so.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the support from the wider school community for the staff involved.

“It is unacceptable for anyone in any line of work to face the threat of violence.

“Thankfully, an incident of this kind is rare but the safety of our pupils and our staff will always remain of paramount importance to us.

“Please be assured that we will continue to take all reasonable precautions to protect that.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 10.45am on Friday, May 12, police received a report of a disturbance at a school in the Johnstone area of Renfrewshire.

“Officers attended and four females aged 59, 48, 34 and 14 years were found to have sustained injuries as a result of the incident. The three women aged 59, 48 and 34 years were taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

“A 16-year-old girl has been charged in connection with the incident and will be reported to the Scottish Children’s Reporter administration.”