Teacher killed after being stabbed in classroom by a 15-year-old pupil

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a 61-year-old female teacher was stabbed to death at school in Leeds, United Kingdom.

The victim was named locally as Anne Maguire, who is understood to have taught Spanish and Religious Education at Corpus Christi Catholic College, in Neville Road, Leeds.

Ms Maguire was rushed to hospital for treatment but was later pronounced dead.

West Yorkshire Police were called to the scene by the ambulance service at 11:48am.

Police detectives said a 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the incident. He is currently being held in custody.

Detective Superintendent Simon Beldon, from West Yorkshire Police Protective Services (Crime), said that the incident was isolated, adding that there was no ongoing risk to pupils or staff at the school.

"The situation is under control and officers, including safer schools officers and members of the local neighbourhood policing team, are currently at the school and are liaising closely with staff.

"The rest of the school is continuing to operate as normal and we would ask that parents do not attend the site unless directly requested to do so by the school.

"Our enquiries are at a very early stage but the full circumstances of this incident will obviously be the subject of a full and thorough investigation,” he added.

Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council, said: "We are aware of the serious incident at Corpus Christi Catholic College this morning and our thoughts are with all those concerned.

"We are working with the school to support pupils and staff at this very upsetting time. We wish to reassure people that this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to pupils or staff at the school.

"We are working closely with the police and helping with their investigation."

Speaking outside the school, pupil Georgina Kilroy, 16, said Ms Maguire had been a teacher for 40 years.

"I don't know anyone who didn't like her. She was spot on. You couldn't ask for a better teacher," she said.

Meanwhile, pupils have started leaving flowers at the school gate.

The message with the first bunch read: "To a special teacher. We was all sad about it. I will never forget you."

Hilary Benn, Labour MP for Leeds Central, described the incident as "profoundly saddening" but said he was not in favour of stringent security measures that would keep staff and pupils "behind high fences".

He told BBC News: "Most people are good and most people try and do the right thing.

"This is not representative of the college, of the community that surrounds it, the families that send their children to school and the city itself. But it is profoundly saddening."

He added: "Schools are places of learning. We want our schools to be open - we don't want to lock pupils and staff behind high fences."

Prime Minister David Cameron expressed his condolences on Twitter. He said: "My thoughts are with the family of Anne Maguire, as well as the staff and pupils of Corpus Christi school, where she was stabbed to death."