Latest news with #HazleheadAcademy
Press and Journal
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Press and Journal
Education boss shuts down questions about Hazlehead knife incident amid 'huge concerns about behaviour' at Aberdeen schools
Education bosses sparked a backlash as they barred councillors from asking questions about the knife incident at Hazlehead Academy during a debate on violence in Aberdeen schools. Today's education committee meeting descended into a heated spat – as elected members argued over what the next steps should be in the wake of an alleged slashing at the west end secondary. A 12-year-old girl was taken to hospital last Thursday, requiring stitches, after police were called to the school during the morning break. It is understood she suffered wounds to the head and face, and a 14-year-old girl has now been charged in connection with the incident. The city's education leaders have now pledged to bring forward a report on what is being done to police behaviour in schools. However, there were concerns that more urgent action is needed. The meeting got off to a fiery start, as Lower Deeside councillor M. Tauqeer Malik lamented not being able to ask education officials questions. He blasted Lib Dem education boss Martin Greig, who arranged the meeting in such a way as to prohibit this. Mr Greig, however, insisted he was right to limit any discussion on what is an ongoing police investigation. Mr Malik said: 'We did not get the opportunity to ask questions… When I raise these things you (Mr Greig) just start shouting at me. 'There is a process where you get to ask questions and get answers, but you did not give us the opportunity to ask questions in relation to a very important issue.' Other opposition councillors later raised the same concerns. Conservative councillor Richard Brooks was later shut down as he referred to the alleged slashing at Hazlehead Academy. After only making a fleeting mention of the incident, he was quickly muzzled by the local authority's legal team. Lord Provost David Cameron was quick to interject following Mr Brooks' remark, saying: 'This is a live police investigation, and Councillor Brooks is making statements.' After consulting with the legal team, the Tory Kincorth, Nigg and Cove councillor was told no mention to the alleged Hazlehead Academy knife attack would be permitted. This was despite, as Mr Brooks brought up, the issue being discussed in public in the Scottish Parliament last week. Mr Malik previously called for the anti-weapons lessons rolled out in the wake of the tragic Bailey Gwynne killing in 2015 to be reinstated across Aberdeen. He wanted the possibility discussed at an urgent council meeting on Monday. However, this too was turned down as it concerned a live police investigation. John Murray, the council's representative for Roman Catholic schools, also attended the talks on Tuesday. He appeared to grow impatient as councillors debated what subsequent meeting to discuss the behaviour report in. He said: 'I would like people to consider how that looks to the general public in Aberdeen that over this very, very important issue, what we're debating is what committee a particular report should go to. 'There are huge concerns about the behaviour of some children in schools. 'This is something that the education committee should be focusing a lot of time and attention on.' His sentiments were echoed by council co-leader Christian Allard, who likened the situation to 'walking a tightrope'. The SNP group leader added: 'We will have a report. Will it be enough to deal with particular incidents? I don't think so, it may be too early. 'But it will feed into the plan, and we need to address what needs to be addressed.' In the end, councillors voted for a report to come back to the next education committee in June. You can view the full meeting here.
Press and Journal
28-04-2025
- Press and Journal
Widow of stabbing victim hopes to bring Knife Angel to Aberdeen
An Aberdeen woman who lost her husband in a stabbing attack is calling for the city to host an artwork designed to help combat knife crime. Linda Taylor's husband Keith was murdered in Tillydrone in July 2016 along with her neighbour Tracy Gabriel. Haunted by that loss, Linda recently vowed to use her personal tragedy to help ensure fewer people will be forced to endure the loss of a loved one to violent crime. After calling on the police and government to introduce a viable and ongoing knife surrender scheme to encourage people to ditch potentially deadly weapons, Linda has now turned her attention to Aberdeen City Council. The widow is asking the local authority to launch a bid to host The Knife Angel – a 27ft tall statue designed to help combat knife crime. Her call for action comes just days after a 12-year-old girl was slashed in an alleged knife incident at Hazlehead Academy in Aberdeen. Also known as The National Monument Against Violence, The Knife Angel is made from more than 100,000 seized blades from police forces across the UK, some of which have been engraved by those affected by knife crime. The statue has now travelled to more than 50 cities since 2018, spreading awareness and prompting conversation wherever it goes. Linda said she was encouraged to approach the council after learning about the impact seeing a knife sculpture had had on someone she knew. 'I was talking about amnesties and he told me about being taken to see a knife sculpture as a child and how that affected him,' she said. After learning about the Knife Angel, Linda decided she wanted to bring the artwork, along with a knife amnesty bin, to Aberdeen, in memory of her husband. Linda, who has also been speaking to representatives from Police Scotland about using her experiences to educate others on the impact of knife crime, hopes that being confronted by the powerful artwork will help to prompt both conversation and action. She hopes that bringing the artwork to Aberdeen would allow families and schools to visit, creating an opportunity for conversation around the topics of violence and knife crime. 'I think the earlier you start, the better chance you have,' she said, noting that recent events at Hazlehead Academy underline how her mission is more important than ever. 'It is crazy that it is happening in schools,' she said. Asked what effect she hoped the presence of the sculpture might have, Linda said: 'If people see what good can be done instead of using the weapons then you might actually have an impact. 'All those weapons could have been used – now look at how beautiful it is.' Linda has already enlisted the help of Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart and is lobbying the police and council to bring her idea to fruition. Kevin Stewart told the Press and Journal: 'I think it's a great idea to host the Knife Angel statue here in Aberdeen. 'Knife crime has a devastating impact on families and communities and all credit to Linda for using her heartbreaking story to raise awareness and continue conversations. 'I'm fully supportive of this initiative and will continue to engage with Linda and stakeholders to try and make this a reality'. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Knives can have a devastating impact on our communities. 'We take a zero-tolerance approach to offensive weapons and knife crime and are committed to making our communities safer. 'We are working with partners through enforcement and education and will continue to target those who choose to carry weapons. 'We are aware of a potential opportunity for Aberdeen to host the Knife Angel and will liaise with partners.' An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman told us: 'We are in discussions partners as we seek to move forward with a bid.' Linda said: 'Let's make it happen.'
The National
24-04-2025
- The National
Girl, 14, arrested after 'knife incident' at Scottish school
Police were called to Hazlehead Academy in Groats Road at around 10.30am on Thursday to a "serious assault" on a 12-year-old girl. Aberdeen City Council said the injured girl was collected by her parents and taken to hospital. She has since been released, although it is understood that she required stitches. READ MORE: Girl in hospital after 'stabbing' at Scottish secondary school Police Scotland described it as a 'contained incident' and said there was 'no risk to the wider school community'. A spokesperson said: 'A 14-year-old girl has been arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault in Groats Road, Aberdeen. 'The incident happened around 10.30am on Thursday April 24. 'A 12-year-old girl was taken to Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital for treatment and has since been released. 'The 14-year-old will be reported to the relevant authorities.'
Press and Journal
24-04-2025
- Press and Journal
Pupil 'slashed in knife incident' at Hazlehead Academy in Aberdeen
A pupil has been taken to hospital after reports of a knife incident at an Aberdeen secondary school. Police attended Hazlehead Academy at about 10.30am on Thursday. A 12-year-old girl was injured during an altercation on school property involving a knife. She was taken to Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, and it is understood she required stitches. It was initially understood the incident was a stabbing. However, we now believe the child was slashed. A mum of a pupil said: 'My daughter said it happened in the canteen during the morning break and that children were screaming. Teachers told them afterwards it wasn't a stabbing.' Aberdeen City Council was unable to comment on the nature of the incident but confirmed it is now over. Officers could be seen leaving the school after the lunch break carrying what looked like items in evidence bags. It is believed classes continued as normal. A message from the school sent to parents states: 'We can confirm that an incident occurred at Hazlehead Academy this morning. 'As a result, a pupil was injured. 'The pupil was collected by their parents and is receiving medical treatment. The incident is now over. 'Police were alerted and carrying out inquiries. We cannot comment further at this stage but would want to reassure parents that all appropriate steps have been followed and support offered.' Parents arriving at Groats Road to pick up their children at the end of the school day told The P&J today's 'slashing' is the latest in a series of violent incidents. Councillor and education convener Martin Greig told The P&J: 'The school is doing all it can to deal with this horrible incident. 'They will be following our guidance and policies to make sure everyone is as safe as possible.' The ambulance service confirmed it was not called to the scene. A police spokesperson said: 'At 10.30am on Thursday, 24 April, 2025, we received a report of a 12-year-old girl injured in the Groats Road area of Aberdeen. 'She was taken to Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital for treatment. 'Inquiries are ongoing but officers are following a positive lead. 'This was a contained incident and there is no risk to the wider school community.' The Scottish Government's education minister, Graeme Dey, said he is 'utterly concerned' by the alleged attack. MSPs were discussing separate concerns about violence in schools and a lack of support for teachers. 'Can I begin by saying how utterly concerned by the reports of the incident at Hazlehead Academy in Aberdeen this morning, where a 12-year-old girl has been assaulted,' he said in the debating chamber. 'Children, like all staff, should at all times go to school and be safe. 'My thoughts are very much with the child concerned, the staff and family. 'Violence in schools is totally unacceptable.'
Press and Journal
24-04-2025
- Press and Journal
Pupil 'stabbed' at Hazlehead Academy in Aberdeen
A pupil has been taken to hospital after reports of a 'stabbing' at an Aberdeen secondary school. Emergency services attended Hazlehead Academy at about 10.30am on Thursday. A 12-year-old girl was injured during an altercation on school property involving a knife. She was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and it is understood she required stitches. A mum of a pupil said: 'My daughter said it happened in the canteen during the morning break and that children were screaming. Teachers told them afterwards it wasn't a stabbing.' Aberdeen City Council was unable to comment on the nature of the incident but confirmed it is now over. Police could be seen leaving the school after the lunch break carrying what looked like items in evidence bags. A message from the school sent to parents states: 'We can confirm that an incident occurred at Hazlehead Academy this morning. 'As a result, a pupil was injured. 'The pupil was collected by their parents and is receiving medical treatment. The incident is now over. 'Police were alerted and carrying out inquiries. We cannot comment further at this stage but would want to reassure parents that all appropriate steps have been followed and support offered.' It is believed classes have continued as normal. Councillor and education convener Martin Greig told The P&J: 'The school is doing all it can to deal with this horrible incident. 'They will be following our guidance and policies to make sure everyone is as safe as possible.' A police spokesperson said: 'At 10.30am on Thursday, 24 April, 2025, we received a report of a 12-year-old girl injured in the Groats Road area of Aberdeen. 'She was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment. 'Inquiries are ongoing but officers are following a positive lead. 'This was a contained incident and there is no risk to the wider school community.' The Scottish Government's education minister, Graeme Dey, said he is 'utterly concerned' by the alleged attack. MSPs were discussing separate concerns about violence in schools and a lack of support for teachers. 'Can I begin by saying how utterly concerned by the reports of the incident at Hazlehead Academy in Aberdeen this morning, where a 12-year-old girl has been assaulted,' he said in the debating chamber. 'Children, like all staff, should at all times go to school and be safe. 'My thoughts are very much with the child concerned, the staff and family. 'Violence in schools is totally unacceptable.'
