Colchester school parents shocked after finding out about knife attack in corridor

PARENTS of children at a Colchester school were left in shock after finding out about a knife attack in a corridor.

A 15-year-old admitted wounding with intent and carrying a knife on the Gilberd School premises at Ipswich Crown Court this week.

The teenager, who can not be named for legal reasons, attempted to stab his victim from behind while the latter was walking towards the school building accompanied by a teacher on October 9 last year.

According to reports, the teacher managed to intervene and take the knife off the attacker, who wounded his victim but did not cause a serious injury.

Parents were shocked to find out about the incident, eight months after the attack, from the Gazette’s report of the court case and not from the school.

Natasha Minette said: “They are keeping parents in the dark.

“Surely they should be keeping parents informed, especially about something as serious as this.”

Tisha Att said: “What’s going to be done to make sure our children are safe?”

Some parents have called for the use of metal detectors at the school to prevent future incidents happening.

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We are aware of a recent court case following an incident at a school in north Essex.

“Essex County Council continually provides support to all the schools in the county to ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures regarding the safety and wellbeing of pupils are followed.”

The teenage attacker was sentenced to an 18-month youth rehabilitation order and a five-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim and the victim’s family. He is also prohibited from entering the school.

The school was rated “outstanding” in its last Ofsted inspection in 2019.

The Gazette has contacted the Gilberd School on multiple occasions for comment.