Boy charged after pupil slashed in face at St Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn Published duration 16 September 2017

A 13-year-old boy has been charged after a 14-year-old pupil was slashed in the face with a knife at a school in West Lothian.

The injured boy is being treated at St John's Hospital in Livingston following the incident at St Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn.

He is thought to have suffered a serious facial injury.

Police confirmed a teenager had been charged and said a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal.

It is understood there was a fight in the canteen, which was busy with about 200 people.

The injured boy was slashed in the face with what is believed to have been a kitchen knife.

Additional support

Supt Craig Smith, of Police Scotland's Lothians and Scottish Borders Division, said: "Violent incidents of this nature are thankfully rare in West Lothian schools and we are continuing to work with West Lothian Council to reassure pupils and the wider community.

"There will be a continued police presence at St Kentigern's for the time being and additional support will be in place for pupils as they return to school on Wednesday.

"I would encourage any pupils or parents with concerns to contact either staff at St Kentigern's Academy or their local police station via 101."

Earlier, a council spokesman said: "West Lothian Council makes the safety of the pupils in our care our top priority.

"We have been working with Police Scotland on a number of initiatives to promote pupil safety in our schools recently, including delivering the No Knives, Better Lives campaign to educate young people on the consequences of knife crime.

"It is not appropriate to say more while the police investigation is ongoing."