'How many times do students need to get injured before action is taken,' asks family of Harvey Willgoose
“It is a pandemic”
The mum of murdered Sheffield school boy Harvey Willgoose, who was stabbed to death at school, said she was 'horrified' by news of stabbings in a Manchester school this week.
Caroline Willgoose, aged 51, spoke out as a 14-year-old girl was arrested after two 14-year-old pupils and a 27-year-old teacher were stabbed at Co-op Academy Manchester, Blackley.
Caroline's son Harvey suffered two fatal stab wounds in the courtyard of All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield in February 2025.
His horrified mum is campaigning for metal detecting arches to be installed in all schools to prevent knives being taken into classrooms.
She said: "How many times do students or teachers need to get injured before action is taken?
"The last thing I thought I would be doing was speaking about knife crime, as everyone thinks it is a gang-related thing.
"But Harvey's and (the latest in Manchester) again proves it isn't - it is a pandemic.
"Schools need knife arches.
"They should have gone into all schools as soon as what happened to Harvey.
"I urge parents to ask their children if they have seen or heard of someone having a knife while in school, and I am sure they will be surprised by what they have to say.
"Reading about school stabbings opens up old wounds for me.
"I feel sorry for pupils, teachers, going into school scared and parent's sending them in.
"Teachers at the school Harvey was killed feared for themselves.
"Why should teachers and pupils be going into school and not feeling safe.”
Since Harvey’s murder, Caroline and her family have campaigned for knife arches in schools, and prompted for bleed kits to arrive in all secondary schools in Sheffield.
The family has also criticised official reports over Harvey’s death, which were only partially released to the public.
Namely, an external review found what the family called ‘130 red flag incidents’ involving Harvey’s killer they say the school failed to act on.
Following the attacks in Manchester, Harvey’s dad, Mark, wrote on Facebook on June 9: “Since Harvey's tragic death we've spoken to the Home Secretary, politicians, South Yorkshire Police, authors of thematic reviews, Sheff City Council, etc!
“They all offer their sincere condolences, tell you we must learn from Harvey's death, learn from mistakes made!! But in reality they do sod all!!! Nothing’s changed and today proves that!”
Caroline added: "It doesn't surprise me anymore to read about attacks in schools, if anything, I expect it now.
"When are the government and school bodies going to listen.
"The government need to step in now and take control of the situation.
"How sad is it that the pupil who killed Harvey is suffering in prison, I think he should be, but it is tragic.
"Children and teachers need to be shown the bigger picture and take it seriously."