Teen Arrested After Stabbing Incident at Tewkesbury Academy: Teacher Injured

Teen Arrested After Stabbing Incident at Secondary School

A male teacher at Tewkesbury Academy in Ashchurch Road, Tewkesbury, was stabbed, leading to the arrest of a teenage boy.

The school was placed on lockdown, and the injured teacher was taken to the hospital for treatment of a suspected stab wound.

Gloucestershire Police received a call around 9.10am on Monday regarding the pupil’s attack on the teacher.

Headteacher Kathleen McGillycuddy issued a statement acknowledging the concerns of the Tewkesbury Academy community and explaining that the school immediately contacted the police and implemented a lockdown upon learning of the incident.

The injured teacher was transported to Gloucester Royal Hospital by the South Western Ambulance Service, which arrived at the scene at 9.08am.

Following the incident, students with parental consent were allowed to leave the school starting from 1pm.

Response from Officials and Schools

Downing Street confirmed that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his sympathy for those affected by the incident.

Approximately 100 individuals gathered outside the school after the stabbing, while uniformed officers guarded the entrances.

Tewkesbury Academy is a state secondary school catering to students aged 11 to 18 and is part of the Cabot Learning Federation, responsible for multiple academies in the South West of England.

The school’s recent Ofsted report, published in January, classified it as “requires improvement.”

Tirlebrook Primary School, located nearby, also experienced a lockdown as advised by the police. Teachers from Tirlebrook Primary School informed parents on Facebook about the incident, assuring them of the safety of their children.

Reactions from Education Secretary and School Community

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan expressed deep concern over the incident and stated that her department would provide support to the school.

A statement on Tewkesbury Academy’s website indicated that buses would be available earlier in the afternoon to transport students home.

Erica Farley, a parent with a child attending the school, commended the swift response of the staff and police in ensuring the safety of the children.

However, she highlighted the importance of parents educating their children about the destructive nature of such incidents.

The academy’s spokesperson expressed gratitude to the staff, parents, and students for their cooperation during the challenging morning and extended well wishes to the injured teacher for a speedy recovery.

Support from Prime Minister and Education Association

The spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged that the incident was still under investigation and conveyed the Prime Minister’s concern for the injured individual, as well as the staff and students of the school.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) expressed their sympathy and offered their thoughts and prayers to the affected teacher and all others impacted by this distressing event.