Boy, 15, charged over stabbing of teacher at Tewkesbury school

A 15-year-old boy has been charged over the stabbing of a teacher at a school in Gloucestershire.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with attempted wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article on school premises.

He will appear at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Teacher Jamie Sansom suffered a single stab wound in the incident in a corridor at Tewkesbury School on Monday morning.

He was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and later discharged. He was said to be “recovering well”.

The academy was locked down and two neighbouring schools were also asked to shut their doors as a “precaution” following the incident, Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone of Gloucestershire Police said.

No one else was injured.

The National Police Air Service were deployed to track the suspect down.

The teenager was arrested by armed officers at 11am on Monday.

Mr Sansom said speculation he was intervening in a fight between students was “simply not true”.

In a statement, Mr Sansom said he wanted to “address some misinformation which has been circulating” in coverage of the incident.

“It is simply not true to say that I was intervening in a fight between students,” he said.

“In my view, there was no point at which Tewkesbury students faced any direct threat.

“I am pleased to say that I am recovering well. I was well looked after at Gloucester Royal, and by the police, and I’m grateful for that.

“My thanks to everyone who helped put me on the road to what is expected to be a full recovery.”

A Tewkesbury Academy spokesperson said: “We feel it is important for our students to be able to return to a sense of normality in their school, where we will be providing a range of additional mental and emotional support for students and staff.”

There will be a police presence at the school for the coming days to provide reassurance.