Teacher 'hit boy with metal weight'

A 14-year-old boy remained seriously ill in hospital in the UK today after allegedly being hit with a metal weight by his science teacher during a lesson.

Jack Waterhouse received serious head injuries after the incident at All Saints’ Roman Catholic School in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, on Wednesday morning.

The boy’s science teacher Peter Harvey, 49, is being questioned by police after being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

He is also being quizzed about assaults on another boy and a girl at the school at the same time.

Officers were called to the school in Broomhill Lane after paramedics were called and arrived to find Jack unconscious in a pool of blood at the entrance to a classroom in the science block.

There were more than 20 pupils in the classroom at 11am on Wednesday when it appears a row erupted between the boy and the teacher.

According to parents, Mr Harvey allegedly “snapped” and lashed out at Jack with a weight used to teach science.

Detective Superintendent Adrian Pearson, who is leading the investigation into what happened, said: “The school, the teachers and the parents are absolutely shocked. It was a trauma to all those involved.

“It was a full, lively classroom and I can understand the trauma to all the staff. Something like this is very, very rare and it’s important to get to the truth of what has happened.

“We have a full picture of what has taken place and so the welfare of the child and his family are the main concern.”

Mr Harvey, who is local to the area, remains in custody at Mansfield police station.

Detectives have until 8.15pm today to question the teacher when they will either have to release him, charge him or ask for a time extension so they can quiz him further.

Jack was taken from the blood-spattered classroom to the King’s Mill Hospital in Mansfield, where his condition deteriorated.

He was transferred later that day to a specialist head injury unit. Police said there was grave concern for his life but his condition, while it remained serious, had since stabilised.

He has not yet undergone surgery and his parents were at his bedside, Nottinghamshire Police added.

Meanwhile, a team of dedicated officers have been questioning the boy’s classmates with their parents present.

Forensics officers also examined the classroom, which was reopened but was not used for lessons yesterday.