Concern after child takes knife into Dixons Allerton Academy

The Year 6 pupil, at Dixons Allerton Academy in Rhodesway, took the blade into school earlier this week.

A letter was sent to parents of Dixons Allerton pupils on Wednesday to alert them of the “serious incident” which had occurred at the school and required police intervention, but didn’t mention the involvement of a knife in the incident.

It said the family of the child involved had been informed of what had occurred and they were working with the school and police on the matter.

Head of Primary Rebecca Greenwood said in the letter that “all steps had been taken to ensure children’s wellbeing” and that safety continues to be the school’s priority.

Dixons Academies Trust said there was “no threat” to staff or pupils and that the knife had been “quickly confiscated”.

Councillor Sinead Engel (Labour, Clayton and Fairweather Green) said she hoped the child involved was receiving the support they needed.

She said: “It’s very concerning and I hope the child is being properly supported.

“You don’t take a knife into school for a happy reason, it may be due to bullying or reasons inside or outside of school, and the child needs extra support.

“It’s a relief that the knife was found and the incident was dealt with, and no one got hurt.”

Ian Murch, from the National Education Union’s Bradford branch, said there are “more children than you’d think” taking knives to school, and stressed the importance of a school having clear systems in place to handle such situations.

He said: “It’s obviously not difficult for a child to get hold of a knife, particularly a kitchen knife like in this incident, and bring it into school.

“It’s something that does occasionally happen, but fortunately rarely does it result in someone getting hurt.

“But there are more children carrying knives than you would think, and all schools can do is have a system in place to manage it and to be aware of what to do to bring these incidents under control.

“You can’t really comment without knowing the personal circumstances of the child, which I don’t, but there could be mental health or emotional issues at play.

“Younger children suffer with these issues as well as older children.”

The school said the incident was dealt with quickly, and thanked parents for their support.

Sir Nick Weller, chief executive of Dixons Academies Trust, said: “A child at Dixons Allerton Primary was discovered to be in possession of a knife which was quickly confiscated by our staff.

“There was no threat to the safety of students or staff. Parents have been informed of the incident and we thank them for their support.”

West Yorkshire Police confirmed its officers were called to the school on Wednesday to reports of a knife.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police were called to Dixons Allerton Academy at 11.55am on Wednesday to reports of a child with a kitchen knife.

“Officers attended and spoke to the school and the child. No one was injured during the incident and enquiries remain ongoing.”

In the letter, Ms Greenwood also pleaded with parents to approach the school directly with concerns and feedback as opposed to discussing school-related issues on social media, so that issues can be dealt with in a “professional and respectful manner”.

Anyone over the age of criminal responsibility - 10 years old - can be charged and taken to court for knife possession, and could receive a caution, a community order or a detention order.