A teacher was stabbed in the neck, suffering injuries, and two students were injured after a 14-year-old girl carried out a knife attack inside a Manchester school on Monday morning. The attack happened at Co-op Academy Manchester in the Blackley area of the city.
Police arrested a 14-year-old girl at the scene and said she is being questioned on suspicion of wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Three people were taken to hospital, including the 27 year-old male staff member who suffered a neck injury. A 14-year-old girl received an injury to her shoulder, while a 14-year-old boy was injured on his ear. Authorities said all three were in stable condition and their injuries were not believed to be serious.
Witnesses identified the injured staff member as a science teacher known as Mr Abdullah. Students and parents at the scene said the teacher intervened as the incident unfolded. The student was not identified.
One student told the Daily Mail: "It was terrifying. The teacher tried to get the knife off her but ended up being stabbed in the neck. She tried to get outside the classroom to attack other kids but other teachers held the door closed on her." According to accounts from witnesses, multiple teachers prevented the student from leaving the classroom while staff worked to contain the situation until police arrived. Another student reportedly ran from the room shouting, "I've been stabbed."
Chief Inspector Jon Shilvock of Greater Manchester Police said officers do not believe there is any ongoing danger. "There is believed to be no wider threat at this time, and we thank everyone for their support as emergency services dealt with this," he said.
Police said they are not seeking any additional suspects and officers will remain at the school to provide reassurance to students, staff, and families.
The academy was placed into lockdown shortly after the start of the school day. Headteacher Phill Quirk later informed parents that the school would close for the remainder of the day while students were released with parental permission.
In a statement, Co-op Academies Trust said staff "acted bravely to quickly detain a student before emergency services arrived." The trust said the school will reopen as normal on Tuesday with emotional support available for students and staff.
Co-op Academy Manchester is a mixed secondary school with approximately 1,650 pupils.
Police arrested a 14-year-old girl at the scene and said she is being questioned on suspicion of wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Three people were taken to hospital, including the 27 year-old male staff member who suffered a neck injury. A 14-year-old girl received an injury to her shoulder, while a 14-year-old boy was injured on his ear. Authorities said all three were in stable condition and their injuries were not believed to be serious.
Witnesses identified the injured staff member as a science teacher known as Mr Abdullah. Students and parents at the scene said the teacher intervened as the incident unfolded. The student was not identified.
One student told the Daily Mail: "It was terrifying. The teacher tried to get the knife off her but ended up being stabbed in the neck. She tried to get outside the classroom to attack other kids but other teachers held the door closed on her." According to accounts from witnesses, multiple teachers prevented the student from leaving the classroom while staff worked to contain the situation until police arrived. Another student reportedly ran from the room shouting, "I've been stabbed."
Chief Inspector Jon Shilvock of Greater Manchester Police said officers do not believe there is any ongoing danger. "There is believed to be no wider threat at this time, and we thank everyone for their support as emergency services dealt with this," he said.
Police said they are not seeking any additional suspects and officers will remain at the school to provide reassurance to students, staff, and families.
The academy was placed into lockdown shortly after the start of the school day. Headteacher Phill Quirk later informed parents that the school would close for the remainder of the day while students were released with parental permission.
In a statement, Co-op Academies Trust said staff "acted bravely to quickly detain a student before emergency services arrived." The trust said the school will reopen as normal on Tuesday with emotional support available for students and staff.
Co-op Academy Manchester is a mixed secondary school with approximately 1,650 pupils.
