Winterton school stabbing victim 'recovering well'

A welfare officer who was stabbed at a school is recovering after an operation, police have said.

Joy Simon, 61, was attacked on Monday morning in an office at Winterton Community Academy, near Scunthorpe.

A 16-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is being questioned by officers.

Ch Supt Christine Wilson said Mrs Simon was "as well as can be expected following this serious incident". A police presence remains at the school.

Live updates and more stories from across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Head teacher Gareth Morris said a small kitchen knife was used in the attack and a year 11 pupil was subsequently restrained by staff in what was an "isolated incident".

He said the injured staff member was part of the pastoral support team, not a teacher.

A special assembly was held at the school on Tuesday morning to discuss what happened.

Officers from Humberside Police are due to meet parents and teachers later to discuss safety concerns.

The force said its community support officers would remain at the academy for the rest of the week.

Ch Supt Wilson added: "We still have a child in custody in relation to the attack yesterday and the investigation is progressing."

She described the attack as "incredibly sad" and "a complete tragedy", and said the school had no history of any violent incidents.

An online fundraising page to buy flowers for Mrs Simon, and biscuits and chocolates for staff, has more than doubled its £100 target.

Parent Susan Maw, who set up the page, said: "[The teachers] looked after our children in what was a really difficult circumstance.

"They didn't know what was going on either and it was a colleague of theirs at the end of the day so I just wanted to thank the school."