Leeds Teacher Died From Multiple Stab Wounds

A post-mortem examination has found a teacher killed at a Leeds school died from multiple stab wounds.

Ann Maguire, 61, who taught at Corpus Christi Catholic College for more than 40 years, had been due to retire in September.

Police say they will be interviewing the 15-year-old held in connection with her death at some point during the day.

Due to his age, officers said this would have to be handled sensitively.

The students who witnessed the incident are being interviewed by specialist officers.

The authorities have stressed the fatal stabbing is an isolated incident.

Detective Superintendent Simon Buldon said: “This is clearly an unprecedented and tragic incident that’s left the school and wider community in a state of shock.”

The school’s chair of governors Martin Dowling said: “This has been a shocking but isolated incident.

“Ann was a wonderful, dedicated teacher and will be remembered fondly by all of us.”

He said it would be “very difficult” for the school to move on as Mrs Maguire was a “very popular and long-serving member of staff”.

In a statement, school head Steve Mort said: “Our whole school community remains in shock today.

“Ann Maguire was a long-serving, highly-regarded and much-loved member of staff and our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.

“She will be sadly missed by colleagues, current and former pupils, and the community as a whole.”

Chief Inspector Nic Adams said: “This is a horrific incident. It’s unprecedented nationally, but very much in this local community it’s something that’s caused a lot of shock and distress.”

The school opened as normal on Tuesday to allow staff and students to remember Mrs Maguire, and support each other.

Children began arriving early to add tributes to the more than 200 bouquets of flowers that cover the railings outside the gates.

Mrs Maguire was also remembered at a service in the neighbouring Corpus Christi Church.

Monsignor Paul Fisher said: “Today we pray for the light of hope: hope for ourselves that eventually we will come to terms with what has happened.

“We offer prayer too for the family of the man who unfortunately did what he did.”

Officers were called to the school just before noon on Monday after a report a member of staff had been stabbed. A knife was recovered from the scene.

Around 30 pupils witnessed Mrs Maguire, who is believed have two grown-up daughters, being stabbed repeatedly in class.

Some reported hearing screams as other members of staff rushed to her classroom and restrained her attacker.

Her death is the first time a teacher has been stabbed to death in a British classroom.

Head teacher Philip Lawrence was murdered outside a school in Maida Vale, London, in 1995 when he went to help a pupil who was being attacked.

A recent Sky News investigation revealed almost 1,000 pupils were caught with weapons including guns, axes and a meat cleaver in schools in the last three years.

More follows…

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Leeds Teacher Died From Multiple Stab Wounds