Ammanford school issues update on reopening after triple stabbing

Ysgol Dyffryn Aman has confirmed it will re-open to pupils on Monday, April 29, as it outlined all the support being offered to staff and pupils returning. A teenage girl has appeared in court accused of the attempted murder of two teachers and a pupil at the secondary school in Carmarthenshire on April 24.

In a statement the school and Carmarthenshire Council said they wanted to “reassure the school community” that a broad range of support would be provided to those who wanted it. From Monday, a dedicated education and child psychology team from the council will be available for pupils and staff and will maintain a presence at the school, for the next two weeks, to provide ongoing support and assistance as needed.

Counselling will also be available for pupils “to offer support and guidance to students facing difficulties”. Staff will be offered help from the council’s internal occupational health team, and education department with the offer of wellbeing support sessions, drop-in sessions, group sessions, and referrals for one to one therapy as needed. A second school was put into emergency lockdown today and you can read more about that here

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Carmarthenshire council said it has had numerous offers of support from external agencies to provide additional assistance for our students. It is “carefully considering how and when to use these services” and thanked all those offering help. Support award-winning journalism with WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android

Council leader Cllr Darren Price said: “As a county council, we are doing everything that we can to support the community of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman and we have set out a wellbeing support plan to help the pupils and staff.

“This will be a joint support approach, as we are adopting a collaborative approach to ensure that all individuals affected receive the support they require. This includes coordinating between internal and external resources to provide holistic assistance.”

A huge multi-agency response was launched with officers from Dyfed-Powys Police, paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service, and two Wales Air Ambulances sent to the school on April 24. The injured teachers and pupil were all taken to hospital with what were later confirmed to be non life-threatening injuries and all three have since been discharged.

A 13-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested at the school and taken into police custody. The girl appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on April 26 charged with three counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article on a school premises.

She appeared in the dock wearing a grey sweatshirt and spoke only to confirm her name, address, and age. Her father was also in attendance inside the courtroom.

No indication of plea was entered and District Judge Mark Layton confirmed that the defendant will be further remanded into custody in youth detention accommodation until she is next due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on May 27.

The school’s headteacher James Durbidge and chair of governors David Jenkins have both praised the response of the school and staff and thanked people for their support .