Pupils offered wellbeing help after knife incident

Students and staff at a school where a teenager was arrested following an incident involving a knife are being offered wellbeing support, a government minister has said.

States of Jersey Police confirmed a 14-year-old male was restrained by members of staff at Haute Vallée, in St Helier, until officers arrived.

During the incident on Monday, one student was reported to have a very minor injury to the hand. There were no other reported injuries.

Deputy Rob Ward, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, said "incidents of this nature are extremely rare" and "the school community responded with maturity and resilience at a very challenging moment".

He said it was a "very serious incident" and he was "deeply grateful to the school's leadership, teaching staff and support teams for their swift, calm and highly professional response".

He said: "Their actions ensured that the situation was brought under control quickly and safely.

"I would also like to acknowledge the exemplary conduct of students, who remained calm and co-operative throughout."

Ward said wellbeing support was in place for students and staff who needed it.

"Our children's safety will always come first, and I am proud of the way the school community has responded," he added.

In an email to children's parents and carers, head teacher Stuart Hughes acknowledged the "very serious" but "extremely rare" incident at the end of lunchtime in the canteen and added that "everyone is safe".

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