Teenage boy arrested after teacher stabbed at secondary school in Gloucestershire

A teenager has been arrested after a male teacher was stabbed at a secondary school.

The man was taken to hospital with a suspected stab wound after Tewkesbury Academy in Ashchurch Road, Tewkesbury, was placed on lockdown.

Gloucestershire Police said officers were called at about 9.10am on Monday to reports a pupil had stabbed a teacher – with a teenage boy later arrested.

In a statement to the parents and carers of pupils, headteacher Kathleen McGillycuddy said: “We appreciate that this morning has been a worrying time for all associated with Tewkesbury Academy.”

She added: “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.”

The South Western Ambulance Service was called at 9.08am and the man was driven to Gloucester Royal Hospital.

In her statement, Ms McGillycuddy said the lockdown “remains in place as a precaution” but “all pupils remain safe and well”.

A crowd of about 100 people gathered outside the school after the stabbing and uniformed officers stood on duty at its entrances.

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.

A recent Ofsted report, published in January, rated the mixed comprehensive school as ‘requires improvement’.

Earlier on Monday, teachers at the nearby Tirlebrook Primary School posted on Facebook to say their school had also been locked down on police advice and urged parents not to attend.

“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.

“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.

“We thank you all for your support and will update you as soon as possible when we know more.”

Education secretary Gillian Keegan said: “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.”