Girl, 16, to face court over stabbing of school welfare officer

A 16-year-old girl will appear in court later charged with attempted murder after a welfare officer was stabbed at a school.

Joy Simon, 61, was injured following the incident at Winterton Community Academy, near Scunthorpe on Monday morning.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is due before Grimsby Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder and carrying a blade or pointed article on school premises.

Chief Superintendent Christine Wilson outside Winterton Community Academy
Chief Superintendent Christine Wilson outside Winterton Community Academy

On Tuesday, Chief Superintendent Christine Wilson of Humberside Police said Mrs Simon was in hospital and "is as well as can be expected following this serious incident".

"Our inquiries are continuing and a police presence remains in the school as reassurance to pupils and staff," she added.

Police have stressed the incident did not happen in a class and officers responded to reports of a fight in an office in the school.

Headteacher Gareth Morris
Headteacher Gareth Morris

Headteacher Gareth Morris described the incident as horrific. He said Mrs Simon was "a very well regarded member of staff - a very important member of our pastoral team".

In a statement on the school website, in which he did not name the welfare officer, Mr Morris said: "I am, however, happy to report that her injuries are not life-threatening and she is as comfortable as she can be under these circumstances. Our thoughts are with her and her family at this time."

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