Boy, 5, brings knife into school

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A five-year-old boy smuggled a knife into a Tyneside school to use as a weapon on a teacher.

Gateshead Council said the child was suspended after being caught with the cutlery knife in June.

It is believed he planned to attack a teacher so he would be moved to a class next to his older brother.

Officials have not named the school for fear of identifying the child. Police were informed and the pupil was later evaluated by psychologists.

Maggie Atkinson, the council's group director of learning and children, said: "The school acted immediately, calmly and professionally.

It is the first time I've heard of a child that young smuggling a knife into school, it's frightening Union representative Mick Lyons

"The article was confiscated, parents and the police were informed and the matter was fully investigated.

"The child was made aware of how serious the matter was and we feel everything that was done was appropriate."

Mick Lyons, of teaching union NASUWT, said the incident was "frightening".

He said: "From what I am led to believe he intended to bring the knife in to stab a teacher.

"It is the first time I've heard of a child that young smuggling a knife into school, it's frightening."