Jamie Sansom said he hopes to be back at the school before pupils break for summer
By Clara Bullock & Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley
BBC News
A teacher who was stabbed at a school said he is recovering well and has been “boosted” by messages of support.
Jamie Sansom was attacked in a corridor at Tewkesbury Academy, Gloucestershire, just after 09:00 BST on Monday.
The maths teacher said he could not “comment in detail” on what happened but confirmed he was not breaking up a fight between students at the time.
Police were given more time on Tuesday to question a teenager arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
“On police advice, I can’t comment in detail about what happened but I do want to address some misinformation which has been circulating in coverage of yesterday’s incident.
“It is simply not true to say that I was intervening in a fight between students. In my view, there was no point at which Tewkesbury students faced any direct threat,” said Mr Sansom, who is from Newport and lives in Gloucestershire.
“I am pleased to say that I am recovering well. My thanks to everyone who helped put me on the road to what is expected to be a full recovery.
Image source, PA
Pupils were locked down for several hours while armed police combed the area
“I have received more than one hundred messages of support, which has been a big boost. It was hugely uplifting.”
Mr Sansom, who has taught at the school since 2017, said he hoped to be back in the classroom before the summer break if doctors gave him the “all-clear”.
“I’m due to move to a new school at the end of the year, and it would mean a lot to me to have the opportunity to say goodbye,” he added.
In an interview with the BBC, Mr Sansom’s aunt said: “We’re shocked and stunned something like this could happen.
“Jamie is a very caring person, a lovely guy and highly thought of.”
Image source, PA
Gloucestershire Police said officers would continue to have a presence in the area over the coming days
The Gloucestershire school reopened earlier after “careful consultation with police”, a spokesman for the academy said.
“We feel it is important for our students to be able to return to a sense of normality in their school, where we will be providing a range of additional mental and emotional support for students and staff,” they said.
“Police will retain a presence at the school for the coming days to provide reassurance.”
Youth charity Young Gloucestershire has opened a hub for students distressed by Monday’s events.
Chief operations officer Alicia Wynn said the incident would “ripple” through the community and have a “long term” effect.
Image source, PA Media
The school has reopened and police are continuing investigations
Gloucestershire Police said it was keeping an “open mind” about a possible motive for the attack.
The suspect was arrested two hours later in the village of Stoke Orchard, about four miles away, after a chase involving firearms officers, plain-clothed officers and the National Police Air Service.
Gloucestershire County Council commended staff and pupils at the school for how they responded.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the member of staff injured in the attack and his family, as well as for the students, wider school community and parents who faced an agonising wait for news as to the safety of their children,” a spokesperson said.
“Whilst, thankfully, this type of incident is extremely rare, the impact on those involved can be significant so we are doing all we can to assist the school as they support students, staff and the wider school community.”
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