Parents protest at Walsall school after stabbing fears

Police had to be called to The Mirus Academy after around 30 parents turned up at the school gates today demanding answers.

They staged their demonstration after a teenage boy was injured in the playground on Friday.

It had been feared the boy had been slashed with a blade but it later emerged it was an accident.

Parents said they were unaware of the circumstances and annoyed the school in Leamore Lane had failed to inform them of the incident and they demanded answers from controversial new headteacher, Dame Maureen Brennan.

They found out about the incident after a parent posted something about it on Facebook.

The protest descended into chaos with pupils walking out of lessons and some leaving school with their parents. Around 50 youngsters also staged a sit-down protest, with some climbing the school gates.

One boy was injured after cutting his hand climbing over the railings. An ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital.

Father-of-three Michael Walker, organised the protest after seeing a picture of the injured boy on Facebook over the weekend.

He said: "Why were we not been told? No letters have been sent, parents have not been called or texted and when parents called earlier the head refused to talk."

The school at first refused to speak directly to the protesting parents, instead sending a message through a police officer, telling parents to arrange individual appointments at a later date.

However, when parents refused to move from the gates, Dame Maureen agreed to meet with the crowd in the school hall.

Upset mother-of-four, Teresa Emery, added: "I knew nothing. My 13-year-old son came to me and said he was scared to go to school because a lad had been attacked.

"How can I reassure him that he is safe when parents don't know the facts?"

No teachers were visible in the grounds or outside on the busy road as pupils refused to return to lessons. News of the chaotic demonstration spread as scores of concerned parents arrived mid-morning to collect their children following calls pleading to be collected.

Tearful mother-of-one, Jacqueline Ruston, arrived to collect her daughter and said: "I am very upset and very angry. I would never have let my daughter come to school today but we have been told nothing. I am not sending her back until I know the school is safe."

West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed they had attended the school and Jamie Arrowsmith, spokesman for the service, said: "A patient caught their hand on the fence and was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital."

On Friday the teenage boy needed hospital treatment after the accident at The Mirus Academy but his injuries were minor. West Midlands Police later confirmed it was 'accidental'.

Yesterday's chaos was the latest issue at the academy, which has controversially appointed a scandal hit headteacher.

Dame Maureen joined the school less than two weeks ago, after she was previously found guilty by a disciplinary panel of altering attendance records at a previous school in November 2012.

And an Ofsted report in 2013 branded the school 'inadequate' recommending that the academy be put into special measures, after it was given the lowest rating in four key areas including behaviour and safety.

Dame Maureen confirmed an incident had happened but refused to comment on why parents were not told.

She said: "An incident occurred on Friday at The Mirus Academy which resulted in a child going to hospital and a report made to the police. The police are investigating the report and consequently we are unable to comment on a live police investigation."