A schoolboy and teacher are reported to have been injured when an intruder armed with a knife attacked pupils and staff at William Ellis School.
Police said the middle-aged woman burst into the school, in Highgate Road after “tailgating” sixth form students arriving for classes at 10.45am this morning.
She was confronted by staff shortly after entering the building as she ran upstairs shouting and screaming and smashed the glass in a door.
Headmaster Sam White said the alarm was raised immediately and staff responded straight away to the “exceptional occurence”.
In an email sent to parents today he added: “She was apprehended within a short time of entering the school building and police were called.
“She was threatening and abusive to some of our students and staff and caused minor injuries to a year 10 boy and some damage to school property. Staff removed her from the school site.
“As far as I am aware she is not known to anyone in the school community.”
Police said one female member of staff received a minor injury to her leg when the woman threw the knife but she did not need hospital treatment.
Mr White added: “In 2014 we improved site security by installing a secure entrance and moving the school office to the front door. Never the less this intruder was able to get into the building today and we will be reviewing arrangements for sixth form entrance and exit to the building.
“Please be assured that this is an exceptional occurrence and that it was dealt with swiftly and that we take security of the site very seriously.”
One parent who did not wish to be named said: “I’ve never felt the school wasn’t secure. They’ve got good gates, good policies and I’ve never had any concerns.”
Police described the intruder is a black woman and of east African appearance.
She was wearing gold sunglasses, a red and orange headscarf, a black cardigan and an orange and red skirt.
She was last seen heading towards Kentish Town.
A police spokesman said: “Reassurance patrols are being conducted and police are working in consultation with partner agencies.
There have been no arrests. Enquiries continue.”
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