Birley Academy in Sheffield reopens after attempted murder arrest

Birley Academy was closed on Wednesday after a boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

A Sheffield school has reopened to pupils after a 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an attack.

Police were called to Birley Academy at 08:50 BST on Wednesday after reports of two women and a child being injured.

All three suffered minor injuries and one woman was thought to have been attacked with a piece of broken glass.

The school confirmed it had reopened on Thursday. South Yorkshire Police said the suspect remained in custody.

The force said there would be a heightened police presence in the Birley area for the rest of the week as investigations continued.

Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, head teacher Victoria Hall confirmed the school would be open as usual on Thursday morning.

South Yorkshire Police Assistant Ch Con Dan Thorpe and head teacher Victoria Hall held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon

She said: "I just wanted to thank all of our students and staff who helped manage the situation this morning and our staff who prioritised the safety and wellbeing of all of our students."

Mrs Hall added that the students had shown "exemplary behaviour" throughout the incident and thanked families and local communities for their support.

The school was placed into lockdown on Wednesday morning following the assault, with pupils not allowed to leave until about 11:00 BST.

Speaking at the scene, Sophie Jones said she had received a text message from her daughter saying the school was "in lockdown, the lights had gone off, the doors were locked and she was hiding under her desk".

"It was really scary. I asked if she was joking because it seemed a really surreal situation.

"She has told me she was OK since then and I'm quite reassured that she is safe."

A number of parents gathered at the school on Wednesday

Nathan Henderson said he had rushed to the school after his daughter had messaged to say she was "under a table crying".

"I was a bit overwhelmed [when I got here] so I nearly climbed over the gates at one point," he said.

One parent thanked the school for protecting the children, saying: "At the end of the day they have kept them safe as much as they could."

Speaking in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said MPs' "thoughts" were with those injured in the attack in Sheffield.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said she was "disturbed" to hear about what had happened.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, she said: "We're in touch with the school and my thoughts are with those injured and all the school community affected by this frightening situation."