A mum has called for greater safety measures to schools after a serious incident at Birley Academy this week, which left three people injured.
The incident resulted in a school lockdown where a 17-year-old boy was charged.
He has appeared before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court today.
Laura Stevenson thanked the school for keeping her son and other pupils safe, but now suggests that more should be done to prevent future events.
Mrs Stevenson said: “I do feel now the pupils need some form of ID to show before entering the building.”
The Department for Education’s site security guidance includes advice and access controls for schools.
It explains how good access control is essential to the security of the school.
It advises: “Procedures should be in place to ensure that no one is able to access the school buildings unacknowledged and that once in the building, systems are in place to protect or help pupils and staff, should support become necessary.”
The school reopened yesterday with an increased police presence in the area.
South Yorkshire Police also shared how they will be conducting a series of proactive patrols in the area over the next few days.
They have encouraged residents with concerns or queries to speak to the officers while they are in the Birley area.
Dan Thorpe, the Assistant Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, made a statement alongside Birley Academy’s head teacher on Wednesday.
He said: “I know this will have been a frightening ordeal for everybody involved. I would like to take this opportunity to praise the academy staff for the actions they took this morning to help keep the school community safe.”
Birley Academy’s head teacher, Victoria Hall, thanked students and staff for managing the situation and prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all the students.
Mrs Hall added that the students had shown “exemplary behaviour” throughout the incident.
Writing on the school’s website when she joined she said: “Most importantly, as a parent myself, I recognise the huge responsibility that schools have to provide for the young people in our care and will do all that I can to make sure that every single pupil at The Birley Academy continues to be valued and cherished as an individual, and feels safe and supported in our school.”
The teenager will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on May 31. Read more here.