Mother's Terrifying Ordeal as Daughter Stabbed at School While She Was Overseas
The mother of a fifteen-year-old girl who was stabbed in the back with a carving knife at school has described the terrifying ordeal of being overseas when the attack occurred. Pupils at Thorpe St Andrew School, near Norwich, were forced to switch off their mobile phones and hide under desks during the incident on March 11.
Rushed to Hospital and Arrest Made
The teenage victim was rushed to hospital with serious injuries, while a 15-year-old boy, also a pupil at the mixed state secondary school, was arrested and has since been charged with attempted murder. The girl has since been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home, though her father expressed concerns about her returning to school full time.
Parental Anguish and Communication Failures
The girl's mother, speaking to the BBC, revealed her horror at learning of the attack while in another country, without immediate details on her daughter's condition. "Words can't express how you feel. You wish you just had superpowers to get home," she said. She added that she was not getting timely answers about her daughter's stability, leaving her mind boggled and fearful for her safety and that of other children.
Meanwhile, the girl's father was working in an area with zero signal when people tried to contact him. When he finally found reception, his phone was flooded with texts and calls about the stabbing.
School Response and Police Action
In a statement, the school applauded the brave reaction of staff and students during the lockdown. Owen Jenkins, chief executive officer at the Broad Horizons Education Trust, acknowledged the worry for families and thanked students for coping well.
Prosecutor Josephine Jones detailed that multiple 999 calls were made as the school went into lockdown, with armed police dispatched to the scene. CCTV footage showed a male in black clothing and a mask carrying a carving knife with a lengthy blade. The victim was stabbed in the back, and the defendant allegedly fled but was arrested nearby.
Legal Proceedings and Future Court Dates
The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court wearing a dark jumper and tracksuit bottoms, with three security officers present. He only confirmed his name, address, and date of birth, and was not asked to enter pleas to charges of attempted murder and possession of a knife on school premises. Remanded in youth custody, he is due to appear at Norwich Crown Court on April 10.
