A school in Sheffield where a teenager was stabbed was also on lockdown days ago, it is reported.
A 15-year-old boy died today in an incident at All Saints Catholic High School. In an update, South Yorkshire Police said another boy, also 15, had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield said the investigation was at an early stage.
Police and ambulance resources were at the scene today as photos showed a cordon in place, and people gathering outside the school.
A spokesperson for the force initially said: “Following a stabbing at a school in Sheffield, a teenage boy has been detained by police and our officers are on scene.
“At 12.17pm today (Monday, February 3) we received reports of a stabbing at All Saints Catholic High School on Granville Road in Sheffield.
“A 15-year-old boy is in hospital with serious injuries. His family is aware. Emergency services are on scene and the school grounds currently remain closed.
“Granville Road is closed from the tram stop to Fitzwalter Road, and we are urging people to avoid the area while emergency services carry out their work.
“We would like to reassure parents of pupils that we do not deem there to be a further risk at the school and further updates will be shared when possible.”
It was later confirmed that the teenager had died.
Speaking at a news conference, Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield said:
“A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in our custody at this time.
“We know that what has happened will cause significant distress and concern.
“I would like to reassure you that our officers will remain on scene and in the local area to offer reassurance to parents, staff and local residents as our investigation continues.”
The incident was reportedly the second time the school has been locked down because of violence in recent days.
According to reports, on January 29, headteacher Sean Pender sent a message to parents, saying the reason for a lockdown last week was “threatening behaviour between a small number of students where threats were made of physical violence”.
Asked about these reports of a lockdown last week, assistant Chief Constable Butterfield told reporters she cannot share any information relating to that, and ended the presser.
Notifying parents of today’s incident and lockdown, Pender said: “I am writing to inform you that today we have dealt with an extremely serious incident here in school resulting in us going in to a lockdown procedure.
“The incident involved two students, one of whom we believe has been seriously injured,” he continued. “All other students are contained and safe.
“The police and paramedics are present in school. Once the police allow us to, we will be releasing all students from school.
“I understand the level of anxiety you will be feeling without knowledge of the nature of the incident but at this time I have limited information to share with you whilst we have police and paramedics on site.
“I will endeavour to update you with as much information as possible at the earliest opportunity. We ask for your prayers and support at this time.”
A 2023 Ofsted report rated the school as “good”, with inspectors finding that most pupils behaved well, and that “a strong ethos of warmth and respect pervades this school”, as per The Standard.
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