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Girl, 13, from Woodchurch, near Ashford, stabbed with scissors at Homewood School in Tenterden

05:00, 26 January 2023

updated: 15:49, 26 January 2023

A dad has spoken of his shock after his 13-year-old daughter was stabbed with a pair of broken scissors at school.

Daisy Andrew, who is in Year 9 at Homewood School in Tenterden, suffered two 15mm-deep puncture wounds to the back of her leg during the "terrifying" break-time attack.

Her father, Robin Andrew, from Woodchurch, near Ashford, told KentOnline how the teenager's shoe filled up with blood before she was seen by the school nurse and then taken to hospital.

Police were alerted, but the parents of other Homewood pupils say they only found out about the "awful" event when their children called them while "crying" in the toilets.

Alarming pictures show how blood was left splattered across a wall at the academy.

But a spokesperson for Homewood said the incident on Tuesday morning "has been exaggerated on social media" and described Daisy's injury as "minor".

According to Mr Andrew, a boy was making fun of Daisy's red hair when things quickly escalated.

Robin Andrew, from Woodchurch, near Ashford, has told of his shock after his daughter Daisy, 13, was stabbed with a broken pair of scissors at Homewood School in Tenterden. Picture: Robin Andrew
Robin Andrew, from Woodchurch, near Ashford, has told of his shock after his daughter Daisy, 13, was stabbed with a broken pair of scissors at Homewood School in Tenterden. Picture: Robin Andrew
Blood splattered over a wall at Homewood School after the attack. Picture: Robin Andrew
Blood splattered over a wall at Homewood School after the attack. Picture: Robin Andrew

"She told him to go away because she doesn't usually let stuff like that bother her," Mr Andrew said.

"She turned around and thought he had gone away but then he produced half a pair of scissors and stuck it in the back of her leg twice.

"Blood was all down her tights and filled up her shoe. She needs new shoes because we can’t clean them out."

The school immediately informed Daisy's mum about the incident.

Mr Andrew then went to Homewood and called the police. The school said they had also alerted officers.

Daisy was stabbed with half a pair of scissors. Picture: Robin Andrew
Daisy was stabbed with half a pair of scissors. Picture: Robin Andrew
Daisy has two puncture wounds up to 15mm deep at the back of her leg. Picture: Robin Andrew
Daisy has two puncture wounds up to 15mm deep at the back of her leg. Picture: Robin Andrew

Daisy was seen by the school nurse before being taken to A&E at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

"My other half took her to hospital - they stuck the holes back together and plastered her up," Mr Andrew said.

"I can’t make sense of it because you don’t expect it to happen at a countryside school.

"It's not the school's fault this has happened, but I hope appropriate action is taken. She should be able to go to school and feel safe."

“Without seeking to minimise the impact on the victim, the incident has been exaggerated on social media..."

Daisy has been left walking with a slight limp and has been told to expect some bruising.

A spokesperson for Homewood School said: “Without seeking to minimise the impact on the victim, the incident has been exaggerated on social media.

“A minor injury was caused to the leg of a female pupil by a boy using a pair of small scissors.

"The school nurse dealt with the cut initially but, as a precaution, the girl went to A&E where the injury was examined and appropriate care and attention were provided.

“The police were informed but did not attend the school."

Homewood in Ashford Road, Tenterden, is one of Kent's biggest schools, with more than 2,000 pupils
Homewood in Ashford Road, Tenterden, is one of Kent's biggest schools, with more than 2,000 pupils

The spokesperson said the boy's actions were "clearly unacceptable" and school bosses are making further inquiries about the circumstances before taking any disciplinary action.

They added: “Both sets of parents have been supportive of the school’s actions and the girl has expressed a wish to return to school as soon as possible.”

Police confirmed they were contacted at 11.40am yesterday following a report that a child had been injured at a school in Tenterden.

Officers are liaising with the school to establish the cause of the injury and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

With more than 2,000 pupils, Homewood is the biggest school in Kent.

In 2019, it was downgraded to "requires improvement" by Ofsted.

The school had previously been consistently rated "good" by the education watchdog.

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