Exclusive:Sheffield school where teen was murdered issues statement about knife arches after pupil found with blade
“We continue to review our security measures”
The Sheffield school where a boy was stabbed to death has explained why knife arches have not yet been installed.
St. Clare Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, which runs All Saints Catholic High School on Granville Road, issued a statement after a 14-year-old boy was found with a blade in his bag during a recent search.
It came nearly a year to the day that a former pupil was sentenced for murder after a knife attack at the same school.
Harvey Willgoose was 15 when he was fatally stabbed during a lunchbreak at the school on February 3, 202.
His killer, Mohammed Umar Khan, who was also 15 at the time, took a hunting knife to school and used it against Harvey between lessons.
The boys had previously been friends but fell out over a fight between two other pupils at the same school, with each taking opposing sides.
Khan sentenced to a minimum of 15 years’ detention on October 22, last year.
The recent discovery of another knife on school premises has angered Harvey’s mum, Caroline Willgoose.
She is campaigning for knife arches to be installed in all schools in a bid to save lives.
A police investigation has been launched into to the most recent discovery of a knife at All Saints but the boy who was found with the blade has not been arrested.
Caroline said: “I am angry because this needs to stop. People need to listen. Knives are still getting into schools.”
A spokesperson for St. Clare Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, which runs All Saints Catholic High School, said: “Following Harvey’s tragic death the Trust introduced a wide range of strengthened safety measures, including handheld metal detectors, bleed kits donated by a partner charity, updated search policies, enhanced staff training and ongoing external support.
“Our priority was to take immediate and practical steps that have a proven impact and can be implemented responsibly and consistently every day.
“Knife arches are one of many tools used in some settings.
“We have looked carefully at all available options, taking advice from the Sheffield City Partnership, South Yorkshire Police and Government guidance.
“At present, national guidance on knife arches is limited and the evidence on their effectiveness varies by context.
“For that reason, schools across the country take different approaches based on their environment, expert advice and the needs of their community.
“We continue to review our security measures, including the potential role of technologies like knife arches, as investigations conclude and further guidance becomes available.
“Our commitment is to use the combination of measures that will be most effective for our school community and will best support long‑term safety and wellbeing.”