Teenage girl remains in custody after teachers and pupil stabbed at Welsh school
Two teachers and a teenage pupil were taken to hospital with stab wounds but their injuries are not life-threatening
Last updated 25th Apr 2024
A teenage girl remains in custody being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder following the stabbing of two teachers and a pupil at a Welsh school.
Amman Valley School, also known as Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, in Carmarthenshire, went into lockdown just after 11.20am on Wednesday after the stabbing at the end of morning break.
Two teachers and a teenage pupil were taken to hospital with stab wounds but their injuries are not life-threatening, Dyfed-Powys Police said.
A knife has also been recovered.
The teachers were stabbed while trying to help when a pupil was attacked, Jonathan Edwards, Independent MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, told Channel 5 News.
He said two teachers were taken to hospital, one of whom has since been released with injuries to the arm and hand, while the other has been transferred to Cardiff as the “situation is far more serious”.
One teacher, Darrel Campbell, is said to have intervened and disarmed a girl before emergency services arrived, according to reports.
He is said to have not been harmed during the incident.
The south-west Wales school was placed into lockdown for several hours before pupils were able to leave at about 3.20pm. It will not open on Thursday to allow police to continue their investigation.
Headteacher James Durbridge praised staff and pupils for their “calm and mature response” to the lockdown in a message on the school’s website.
He also stated that the school will be closed today (Thursday) whilst investigations continue.
In a statement posted to the school's website, he says: "Today (Wednesday) has been a very difficult day for us as all as in the school. It goes without saying that my thoughts are with the three individuals and their families, who have been affected by today’s incident."
"In the immediate aftermath of the incident, our priority was to ensure the security of pupils and staff whilst managing the situation and communicating with those directly impacted. Working with the police we issued communication as soon as feasibly possible."
"To support Dyfed Powys Police, the school will be closed tomorrow (Thursday) to all pupils and staff in order for officers to further carry out their investigations."
Parents who gathered outside the school as news of the incident emerged were seen tearfully hugging their children after they walked through the gates.
Investigators in white forensic suits were seen examining an area by the main building of the school, with police by the main entrance and nearby streets.
Police have asked for footage of the incident, circulating on social media, to be removed to avoid distress to those affected.
The force has also asked people not to speculate while their investigation is ongoing.
Dafydd Llywelyn, police and crime commissioner for Dyfed-Powys, said he was deeply shocked.
Mr Llywelyn said: “My thoughts go out to all those affected, including the pupils, teachers and staff who were involved or witnessed this terrifying ordeal. Our thoughts are also with the families and friends of those injured.
“I want to commend those at the scene that ensured that the situation was brought under control and the emergency services who attended to safeguard the scene and reassure the public.”
Mr Llywelyn added: “I want to assure the public that the police investigation is ongoing, and that officers and staff will work tirelessly to understand the circumstances surrounding this incident.”
The Church of All Saints will be open for anyone who wants to light a candle or say a prayer over the coming days.
Dorrien Davies, the Bishop of St Davids, plans to visit Ammanford on Friday.
Politicians across Wales and the UK have described their shock at what happened.
First Minister Vaughan Gething posted on X, formerly Twitter, that it was a “deeply worrying time for the school, families and community”.
Also on X, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked the police and emergency services for their work.
Adam Price, Plaid Cymru MS for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, who attended the school between 1980 and 1987, described the incident as a “bolt from the blue”.
He told the PA news agency there would be lessons to learn to minimise the chances of such an incident happening again.
Mair Wyn, who has been a governor at Amman Valley School for 34 years, said “times have changed” and “a teacher’s job is very dangerous”.
She said: “It is a complete shock for the community.
“It’s an excellent school, the pupils are such lovely children and I can’t understand why this issue has happened, it’s unbelievable really.”
She added: “It’s a very big concern what the future will hold. The discipline has gone from schools. Times have changed. Things are happening now, a teacher’s job is very dangerous.
“I fear now for these two teachers that have been injured. Times have changed in the last 10 years.
“You looked up to a teacher in my time, you were afraid of a teacher. But I think every school is under danger really when you think about it, you don’t know what’s around the corner.”
Amman Valley School is a bilingual comprehensive school for pupils aged between 11 and 18.
It is maintained by Carmarthenshire County Council and provides education to 1,450 school pupils, in addition to 270 sixth form pupils.