Boy arrested over school stabbing

A 13-year-old boy was arrested today after a 14-year-old was stabbed at a school, police said.

West Yorkshire Police were called to Allerton Grange School, in Moortown, Leeds, just before 9.30am after reports of the stabbing.

The teenage boy was taken to Leeds General Infirmary, where his condition was described as stable.

The 13-year-old was arrested in connection with the incident and is currently in police custody, a police spokeswoman said.

Allerton Grange is described on its website as a "thriving , all-ability, multicultural school" with 1,690 students from both inner-city and suburban areas.

An Ofsted report in October 2004 found it was a "good and effective school which is exceptionally inclusive".

Writing in the school prospectus, Mr John McCall, acting headteacher, said the school had a friendly environment.

He wrote: "Our aim is that your child is safe, is taught well and is encouraged to develop his/her skills and talents as a responsible member of the school and the wider community.

"We may be a large school, but your child will be known by the staff whose job it is to look after them while they are here.

"We do this well."

Richard Morris, chairman of governors at Allerton Grange, said he could not comment on this morning's incident as it was a matter for the police.

He added: "The school is calm, lessons are proceeding as normal and we can reassure families that it is a safe environment for their children.

"Police are on site and do not anticipate any further incidents.

"Our thoughts and hopes are focused on the young person in hospital."

The force spokeswoman later confirmed the 14-year-old was stabbed three times in his chest and stomach with a knife.

The attack happened in a classroom and both boys are pupils at the school, she said.

At the school this lunchtime, children wearing black uniforms played outside as police and school staff guarded the gates.