Redhill Academy on Redhill Road, Arnold (Image by Leah Whittle)

Parents were left “disgusted” by a school’s handling of an alleged hammer attack on a pupil in Nottingham earlier this week.

A 15-year-old was arrested on Monday, January 20 at Redhill Academy on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

The victim was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre for treatment and their injuries are not believed to be life-altering.

Concerned parent Sasha Osbourne told CBJ Target: “A lot of parents are not happy, quite a few have kept their children at home.

“We are also disgusted that we were not made aware of this until later in the day, that our children were put on lockdown and not allowed to communicate with their families.

“I’m fortunate that my daughter was off, she suffers with severe anxiety.
“If she was at school she would of been in the classroom next to where this took place and she would of been in a state.

“She is not at school today and I don’t really want her back there until this is resolved.”

Parents have taken to social media to express their opinions over the school’s handling of the situation.

One parent said: “No support of any kind was made which is truly and utterly disgusting and a disgrace to the school.”

Another parent spoke about how the school should have treated pupils who were directly involved.

He said: “The school should have immediately contacted the parents whose children were directly involved.”

However, other parents praised the school’s professionalism.

“My kids go to Redhill and I was more than happy with the way it was handled today,” said one in a comment.

Another parent replied to this and added: “100% agreed, my daughter also goes there and I’m happy with the way it was handled”

Redhill Academy released a statement on behalf of headteacher Mike Hardy.

He said: “I would like to thank our school community for the way they responded to events in school. Our staff dealt with a difficult situation swiftly and with professionalism, allowing students to continue their school day in a calm and mature manner.

“Thank you to parents who have supported their children and the school today, following what was an isolated but upsetting incident. We are continuing to support anyone affected.

“We are working with the police and would ask members of the community to avoid public speculation around the circumstances of this case. We are unable to comment further at this stage.”

Police were called to Redhill Academy, on Redhill Road, at around 9.45am after a pupil reportedly suffered a head injury.

Sergeant Richard Craig, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We treat all reports involving weapons and violence with the utmost seriousness.

“A suspect has been arrested and we are now working to understand exactly what happened.”

The suspect has since been released on police bail.