A teacher who was stabbed in a school says he is “recovering well” as he denied he was intervening in a fight between students during the incident.
Maths teacher Jamie Sansom was attacked in a corridor at Tewkesbury Academy in Gloucestershire on Monday morning.
He has now been discharged from hospital and the school has reopened with a police presence there for the coming days to provide reassurance.
A teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the incident and remains in custody. A knife has been recovered.
The academy was locked down and two neighbouring schools were also asked to shut their doors as a “precaution”, said Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone of Gloucestershire Police.
In a statement, Mr Sansom said he wanted to “address some misinformation which has been circulating” in coverage of the incident.
“It is simply not true to say that I was intervening in a fight between students,” he said.
“In my view, there was no point at which Tewkesbury students faced any direct threat.
“I am pleased to say that I am recovering well. I was well looked after at Gloucester Royal, and by the police, and I’m grateful for that.
“My thanks to everyone who helped put me on the road to what is expected to be a full recovery.”
Mr Sansom – who has taught at the school since 2017 – said he had received more than 100 messages of support, which had been “a big boost”.
“It was hugely uplifting to know I had that support behind me, and I want to thank all of my colleagues and the parents at Tewkesbury Academy who have taken the time to reach out. It has meant a lot,” he added.
Mr Sansom said he hopes to be well enough soon to visit the school to personally thank people.
And he aims to return to the classroom before the summer break if doctors give him the all-clear.
“I’m due to move to a new school at the end of the year, and it would mean a lot to me to have the opportunity to say goodbye before I move on,” he went on.
Tewkesbury Academy is a state secondary school for 11 to 18-year-olds.
It is part of the Cabot Learning Federation, a multi-academy trust responsible for a number of academies in the south west of England.
