A TEENAGER had to be escorted off the premises of a Basingstoke school after allegedly threatening to kill a fellow student,

The Gazette can exclusively reveal. Police were called to Everest Community Academy, in Oxford Way, Popley after it is believed that a 15-year-old boy brought a knife on to the premises.

During the incident, which took place at midday on Monday, May 16, staff at the school had to physically restrain the student, preventing him assaulting another student, before he was arrested.

An eye-witness told The Gazette that they had driven past the school just after 1.30pm and saw officers taking the 15-year-old off school property.

Principal at Everest Community Academy, Nick Price, said: “Everest Community Academy has high expectations of good behaviour by every student at all times and consequently will not hesitate to take immediate disciplinary action when these standards are not met.

“As the potential assault is a criminal offence Hampshire Police were called straight away and are carrying out their own investigations with the full support of members of our school community.

“I can also confirm that since the potential incident the student has been excluded from school.”

As previously reported in The Gazette, exclusions at the Popley school have tripled since Mr Price took the helm in September 2014 in a bid to transform behaviour at the school.

Parents who have children at the school aired their concerns after hearing about the incident, but praised the swift action of the staff. One parent told The Gazette: “It is alarming but I am glad that the situation was dealt with in a proper manner by the staff.

“It does make you wonder what is going through the child in question’s head though.”

Police are currently carrying out an investigation of the incident.

A spokesman from Hampshire Constabulary said: “We were called at 1.08pm on May 16 after concerns were raised that a teenager may have brought a knife on to school premises at Everest Community Academy, in Oxford Way.

Nobody was injured in the incident. “A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article on school premises and threats to kill.”