16:35

Headteacher releases statement to parents

Headteacher, Gareth Morris, has released a statement on the school’s website to parents:

“Firstly, I would like to thank the parents and the community for the support they have shown at this extremely difficult time.

As you will no doubt be aware by now there was a serious incident at around 9am this morning when a student attacked a member of staff with a small knife.

A joint press release can be found here: https://www.humberside.police.uk/news/serious-incident

You will no doubt be aware of who this member of staff was but for the purposes of the website I am not at liberty to name her here. I am, however, happy to report that her injuries are not life threatening and she is as comfortable as she can be under these circumstances. Our thoughts are with her and her family at this time.

As you can appreciate there are numerous factors and people to consider during times of adversity such as these. I acted at all times with the best interests of the students, staff and parents in mind; whilst taking advice from Humberside Police.

In the first instance it was important for me to share with parents, via our text service, that all the students were safe. The incident was isolated in a part of the school away from the main area of classrooms. The situation was contained in a very short space of time due to the quick thinking of our staff, who conducted themselves at this time and throughout the day in a very professional manner.

Whilst I understand that my initial text did not contain a lot of information I am sure you can appreciate there were numerous factors to consider, not least of all the wellbeing of our member of staff and Police advice, before sending the subsequent updates.

I held assemblies this morning and will be holding assemblies again tomorrow to clarify the situation with our students and to inform them of the support that we will have at our disposal this week and beyond as needed.

We already have a good working relationship with the local Police force through the Safer Schools Partnership. A Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) will be in school all week as a reassuring presence but also to be someone the students can talk to if they so wish.

The Local Authority are providing support through the Education Inclusion Partnership team who will be available to offer advice and guidance to pupils and staff as the need arises, both in the short and the long term.

School, as it was today, is open tomorrow and I am expecting all students to return in the morning.

If you would like any further information or have any questions I will be holding a short parents meeting with Chief Superintendent Wilson tomorrow (Tuesday 26th September) at 5pm.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support.”

Gareth Morris

Mr GL Morris

Headteacher