Boy, 10, arrested after teacher stabbed at Wolverhampton school
A 10-year-old boy was arrested after a teacher was stabbed with a pencil at a troubled school – where police are now based full-time.
The pupil was held by police and the teacher taken to hospital following the attack at New Park School in Wolverhampton, yesterday.
A 60-year-old male teacher suffered a minor arm injury after the stabbing, while the pupil was arrested on suspicion of assault and bailed.
The school, which caters for pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, has been in special measures since February when it was heavily criticised by Ofsted inspectors.
Former headmistress Sharon Humphreyson resigned following the two-day inspection of the school, which branded it 'inadequate',the worst possible rating, in all four of the main areas.
A source close to a teacher at the school said there were still many problems. He likened it to a 'war zone', and said trouble had been brewing for some time.
"Various members of staff have been threatened by this pupil," he said. "Staff are being put at risk all the time and nobody is really saying anything about it. Staff have been saying for some time that something was going to happen, and now it has."
Police said an officer was based at the school site full-time and had been there for a number of weeks.
Wolverhampton City Council spokesman Tim Clark said: "An incident took place at New Park School, in Whitmore Reans, where a teacher received injuries to their arm which required hospital treatment.
"West Midlands Police have a full-time presence on the school site and a 10-year-old Year 5 male pupil was arrested."
A second Ofsted inspection last month said the school had shown some improvement. Inspector Sue Morris-King said the staff she spoke to expressed positive views about the changes since the school had been placed in special measures.
