Boy in court over stabbing of teen girl at school

A 15-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a fellow pupil who was stabbed at a secondary school.

A girl, who is also 15, was taken to hospital with minor injuries after she was stabbed in the back at Thorpe St Andrew School, near Norwich, on Wednesday.

Pupils were told to switch off their phones and hide under their desks when the school was put into lockdown at about 10:25 GMT, the BBC was told.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court where he has been remanded in youth custody ahead of an appearance at Norwich Crown Court on 10 April.

The defendant, who wore a dark-coloured jumper and tracksuit bottoms, appeared in the secure dock with three security officers.

He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth, and was not asked to enter pleas to the charges of attempted murder and possession of a knife on school premises.

The boy's father sat on a chair outside the dock, close to his son, and wiped tears from his eyes at the end of the hearing, having been offered a box of tissues.

The girl was taken to hospital and has since been discharged.

Norfolk Police said it would continue to have officers at the school and in the local area over the coming days to offer reassurance.

Thorpe St Andrew School, which has more than 1,800 pupils, reopened on Thursday but principal Penny Bignell said children who did not feel ready to return would be supported.

"Our priority is making sure that our whole school community has the right support and care through this difficult time," she said in a letter to parents, seen by the BBC.

"Thorpe St Andrew is such a tight-knit community, and we are enormously grateful for the understanding and supportive response shown by everyone."

There would, she added, be a "continued presence of police officers at the school over the coming days to provide reassurance and support for students, staff and families".

"School will continue to operate as normal, with additional support available for any students who would like to talk about what happened," the principal said.