UPDATE: Reaction at Dixons Kings Academy following teacher stabbing

Outside the schools gates Shakeel Ahmed, who has a 14 year-old-son at the school, said: "My son text my wife saying a child stabbed a teacher.

“I don't know much more than that. I came to see my son but the school didn't let me go in. They told me everyone was safe. It's worrying cos there a lot of children inside the school.

“This shouldn't happen. When I got the text I was scared. I thought what's going to happen next. I think everyone is safe now.”

He believes the incident would have happened when pupils were in lessons at the Lidget Green school.

One mother of a pupil at the school who did not wish to be named said her brother-in-law had told her there had been a stabbing at the school and there were a lot of police.

She said: " I'm sure they'll get whoever it is. They must know him and where his family lives. It's terrible. You send kids to study and something like this happens."

A parent called Shaheen Akhtar, who has a 13-year-old girl, in the school said: "At the moment I think everyone's okay in the school. The staff are all around and the police are there too. I've never had any concerns about the school before."

She said the stabbing could happen at any school adding: "You cant predict what other peoples kids will do. The staff here are good to talk to and always listen if you have any issues. I'm, shocked just like any one would be shocked when something like this happens."

Mohammed Siddique had arrived at the school shortly before one after receiving a call saying his son had been a witness to an incident.

As he arrived at the gates and was interviewed by press he found out that the incident had been a teacher being stabbed.

He said: "I didn't know anything about that I was just told my son had been a witness to something. Something like this has never happened here before. It makes you very nervous."

Tahir Jamil emerged saying he had been reassured that his 15-year-old daughter was safe and meeting staff with around four other families.

''They've explained everything to us now,'' he said.

''Two of the teachers came out and explained everything to us.

''They didn't tell us what teacher it was but now I'm satisfied. I wanted to take my daughter with me but they assured us that the school is safe.''

Parent and taxi driver Saghir Ahmad, 39, was waiting by the railings at the school gates.

“I’m waiting for my son to see if he’s okay. I’m worried about my son, he’s 13-year-old. He’s been at the school for two years,” he said.

“It’s a good school, my son is happy here. We live at Horton Grange Road just around the corner.”

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Julian Stanley, the Chief Executive of Teacher Support Network, said: “It is saddening to hear a teacher has been stabbed and our thoughts are with him, his family and his colleagues at what must be a worrying time.

"It brings back the tragic memories of Ann Maguire’s death in April last year and reminds us that any kind of violence against teachers is simply unacceptable.

“Teachers should not have to work in an environment where they are at risk of physical or verbal abuse.

“More than half of primary (53 per cent) and 46 per cent of secondary school teachers who responded to YouGov survey Teacher Support Network conducted earlier last year said they had witnessed worsening behaviour over the last five years.

"Nearly two-thirds of primary teachers said poor behaviour had resulted in stress, anxiety or depression, and over a third (37 per cent) said they had thought about leaving the profession as a result of behaviour problems.

“This highlights how bad pupil behaviour can have a knock on effect, not just for other pupils whose learning may be impinged by a handful of unruly pupils, but on the long-term health and wellbeing of staff. School leaders must work with parents to prevent violence in schools against teachers as well as other pupils.”

Ian Murch, the assistant secretary of the Bradford branch of the NUT, has also reacted.

“It’s obviously shocking and I’m really sad that this has happened.

“I really hope that the teacher is going to recover and that the pupil is apprehended without anyone else being further hurt," he said.

“This doesn’t tell you that weapons are common in schools, but it does mean that schools will have to think hard about how they can prevent incidents of this nature in the future.

“I’ve been involved with schools in Bradford for nearly 30 years, and I can remember the odd incident where a pupil has threatened a teacher with a knife, but not one where anything has actually happened.

“Parents and teachers shouldn’t be worried about going to work tomorrow because of this. These kind of incidents are not common in Bradford’s schools.”

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: “I am shocked and incredibly sad to hear that a teacher has been stabbed at a school in the UK – Dixons Kings Academy in Bradford.

“Our best wishes are with the teacher, his friends and work colleagues, and the pupils at the school.

“Thousands of dedicated teachers are working in schools and colleges with our children and young people every day, and they should never have to face verbal or physical violence. Thankfully today’s events are extremely rare and schools are usually safe places for children and adults.

“When we learn more about the circumstances, it may be that there are lessons to be learned, but for now, the teacher and his family, the pupils, staff and their families need our support.”

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, said: “This is a shocking and distressing event and our thoughts are with the teacher concerned, their family, and staff, pupils and whole school community at Dixons Kings Academy.

“It is important to remember that occurrences of violence such as this are extremely rare, but clearly, at the appropriate time, all of the circumstances of how this incident unfolded will need to be examined.

“However, the priority for now for the school is to support pupils and staff who have been caught up in this incident.

“The NASUWT will be contacting our members at the school and the headteacher to offer whatever support they and pupils need.”

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said: "My thoughts are with the injured teacher, his family, colleagues and the pupils at the school.

"My officials are currently in touch with the school and keeping me constantly updated on the situation and my department is ready and prepared to offer all necessary support.

"Violence of any kind in schools is totally unacceptable and this government is committed to building on the significant measures we have already taken to make sure our schools are safe for everyone in them."

Councillor David Green, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “The stabbing of a teacher at Dixons Kings Academy has deeply shocked and traumatised students, school colleagues and the wider community. Our thoughts are with them and the teacher’s family and friends.

"Our first priority, working with the school and the Police, was to make sure all the students in the school were safe. We immediately provided specialist support to the school staff and students, and this support will continue over the coming days and weeks.”

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Bradford Council, said: “It’s clearly a shocking incident and our thoughts need to be with the teacher’s family and friends, and the staff and students at the college, as well as with the family of the young man involved in the incident.

“We need to let the police get on with their job and provide the right support to the school.”

Conservative group leader Councillor Simon Cooke said: “We are all shocked. Our thoughts are with the teacher who has been stabbed and his family, and the school community there, and we hope the Council is continuing to provide support for them in what is going to be a very difficult time.

“Right now we should be thinking about the teacher, his family and the school at what will be a quite upsetting and traumatic time.”

Judith Cummins, MP for Bradford South, said: ““The stabbing of a teacher at Dixons Kings Academy is deeply shocking. My thoughts are with the teacher, his family, colleagues and pupils at the school.”

"Clearly, one incident like this is one too many. Thankfully, incidents such as these are rare. But we mustn’t be complacent. I will be meeting with the school and Police as a matter of urgency as the safety of both staff and pupils is absolutely paramount.

“A police investigation into this terrible incident is ongoing. Officers are currently at the school and liaising closely with staff. The school continues to operate as normal.

"The full circumstances of this incident must be thoroughly investigated.

"The local Council is offering specialist support to school staff and pupils who will be traumatised by this terrible incident."