Boy, 15, is charged with attempted murder after teenage girl stabbed at school – sending classes into lockdown

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder after a teenage girl was stabbed at a Norwich school.

The teenager was taken to hospital following the attack at Thorpe St Andrew School on Wednesday morning, which saw classrooms locked down.

Terrified students remained cowered under desks as stressed parents waited outside the gates.

The person allegedly armed with a knife fled the scene. Later hours, police arrested a 15-year-old British boy.

He was taken to Wymondham police investigation center for questioning.

Norfolk Police have since charged the boy with attempted murder and possession of a knife on school premises.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was taken into custody and will appear at Norwich Youth Court on Friday morning.

The charges come after the teenager was discharged from hospital today and told she was ‘doing well’ and would be welcomed to ‘return to school when she is ready’.

Armed police rushed to the school after reports of a stabbing and the school was quarantined.

Thorpe St Andrew School said in a statement on Thursday that staff had ‘remained calm’ throughout a ‘prolonged and understandably distressing situation’.

A school spokesman said: ‘We have written to parents to thank them for the many supportive messages we have received over the past day.

‘We are also delighted to share the reassuring news that the injured student has been discharged from hospital. We understand that his condition is good and we wish him a speedy recovery. We look forward to welcoming him back to school when he is ready.

‘We want to see how well our staff and students respond during lockdown.

‘Staff remained calm, focused throughout a protracted and understandably distressing situationIThey showed great maturity and composure in supporting and protecting the students in their care.

‘As the situation arose, staff had to respond to the needs of the specific students in front of them and adapt their approach accordingly, always keeping everyone safe and supported as a priority.’

The school added that they ‘understand how worrying this incident is for families’ and that a number of support measures will be provided to students and families ‘as long as needed’.

The statement continued: ‘We sincerely hope that we, and indeed other schools across the country, will not have to introduce these protocols again and would like to thank the emergency services for their expertise and response yesterday.’

About 100 parents showed up at the school site on Wednesday demanding more information after hearing reports on social media.

Teachers are understood to have used items such as lockers to barricade classroom doors while the school was on lockdown for almost three hours.

The girl, thought to be a 10th grade student, was taken to hospital with ‘mild injuries’.

Norfolk Police said it would continue to have officers at the school and in the area to provide reassurance over the coming days.

In a statement on Thursday night, police said: ‘A 15-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder following an incident in Thorpe St Andrew yesterday.

‘Police were called to a school in Laundry Lane at 10.24am to reports that a young girl had been stabbed.

‘A 15-year-old boy was arrested and taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Center for questioning. He has since been charged with attempted murder and possession of a knife on school premises.

‘His name cannot be given for legal reasons.

‘He was taken into custody and is expected to appear at Norwich Youth Court tomorrow morning.

‘Officers will continue to carry out reassurance patrols both at the school and in the area over the coming days.’