Emergency services, including police, paramedics, and two air ambulances, responded to the incident at the Amman Valley School, also known as Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, in Carmarthenshire, on Wednesday morning. The school went into lockdown just after 11.20am after the stabbing at the end of the morning break. Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that two teachers and a teenage pupil suffered stab wounds and were transported to the hospital. Their injuries were assessed as non-life-threatening. A knife was also recovered from the scene.
Jonathan Edwards, the Independent MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, provided details of the incident, stating that the teachers were trying to intervene when a pupil was attacked. He reported that one teacher was released from the hospital after receiving treatment for arm and hand injuries, while the other was transferred to Cardiff with more severe injuries. According to reports, teacher Darrel Campbell intervened and disarmed the girl before emergency services arrived, without sustaining any injuries during the incident.
After several hours under ‘Code Red’ lockdown, pupils were allowed to leave the school at around 3.20pm. The school remained closed on Thursday for continued investigations. Headteacher James Durbridge expressed gratitude for the calm and mature response of staff and pupils during the lockdown in a message on the school’s website.
Parents gathered outside the school, visibly distressed, as their children exited the gates. Investigators conducted examinations at the main building, while police maintained a presence at the entrance and nearby streets. Police urged the public to refrain from speculating as the investigation is underway.
Dafydd Llywelyn, the police and crime commissioner for Dyfed-Powys, expressed shock and sympathy for those affected. He commended the individuals who controlled the situation and the emergency services for their swift response. The force has requested the removal of footage of the incident circulating on social media to minimize distress to those involved.
Politicians across Wales and the UK have condemned the incident. First Minister Vaughan Gething acknowledged the distress caused to the school, families, and community. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak extended gratitude to the police and emergency services. Adam Price, Plaid Cymru MS for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, called for lessons to be learned to prevent similar incidents. Mair Wyn, a governor at Amman Valley School for 34 years, expressed concern about changing times and the increased challenges faced by teachers in maintaining discipline.
