Child Brought Knife into School

[NormaSmith]

Would you expect a school to tell everybody if a child brought a knife into school?
I only know this happened as my dc was in the room when it was brought out of a bag. There was no threat or injury, I think the child was very naive.
So I received a phone call telling me the school have involved the police and are dealing with it. My dc tells me this child has not been in school since.
I am just surprised other parents haven’t been told and would have expected some sort of communication to all parents.

For what purpose? What would you want the communication to say? If it’s being dealt with and child hasn’t returned there is no issue to concern other parents just cause hysteria.

You received a phone call - who from?

No.

they don’t have to and it would just cause panic.

That happened last month at my daughter’s school and they did email us a letter about it. Who phoned you?

I’d expect the school to contact the parents of any children that saw the knife but not anyone else.

I think they would notify the parents of children who were present and then send a letter/ email out to all parents once it has been dealt with.
The school have acted upon it and the child hasn’t been returned. They haven’t ignored the situation, they are handling it but in a way that is also respectful to that child.

Head teacher phoned us as they knew our dc knew. I just think they should address it, if for no other reason than to make sure other pupils know how seriously it is taken.
I also suspect enough people know for rumours to be flying around.

Depends entirely on the child and type of knife. If a girl brought a craft knife or art scalpel into class because they were working on a DIY project and she thought it could help, then definitely an overreaction.

If a child with prior behavioural problems and/or history of aggression and threats brought a kitchen knife or penknife into class without any reason aside to "show off" then that warrants exclusion and further investigation.

I would think it might possibly be the kind of thing the school would prefer to communicate themselves to pre-empt/try to avoid the rumour mill.

It would just cause panic. They should have only contacted people directly involved, then if needed can send a statement out.

It was described by head as a large kitchen knife.

No, we don't tell parents.
The students get permanently excluded.

No, it would cause so much chaos.

It’s also why so many people think knives in school is a rare event.

This implies it is a regular occurrence.

This happened at a school in my area: everyone was told abc the child was expelled

I personally think the school should communicate it out and say it has been dealt with. I know someone who's child goes to the school in Sheffield where there was a fatal stabbing earlier this year. In that case there had previously been a knife brought into the school and the school didn't make it known to the parents. It caused a lot of anger and distrust in the school when it all came out.

It happened this week so won’t know till new year if dc suspended or expelled.

I don’t think there’s an implication that it’s a regular occurrence. I think it means that the school has a clear policy and deals with that sort of situation robustly.

My dc school communicates anything like this I think more to stop rumours, false allegations and exaggerations.

How old was the child?

Well, it's a big non selective state school in a challenging area.
Yes. It happens.

Year 8 so 12/13.

It is, yes

anyone ask the child why

This.