Update: Injured Mansfield pupil named by police
The 14-year-old was found with "a number of serious head injuries" outside a classroom, they have confirmed.
Science teacher Peter Harvey is in police custody on suspicion of attempted murder after the incident yesterday at All Saints Roman Catholic School in Mansfield.
Officers now have until 8.15pm tomorrow to charge or release the 49-year-old.
Today, Notts Police confirmed they planned to question the teacher about alleged assaults on two other pupils – a boy and girl in the same class.
The pair did not need medical treatment but have been questioned by police over the incident, said Detective Superintendent Adrian Pearson.
These are believed to be related to the alleged assault which left Jack Waterhouse injured.
He is currently in a serious but stable condition at the Queens Medical Centre.
Surgery has not taken place but has not yet been ruled out.
Notts Police has assigned 12 officers to the case as they interview up to 20 pupils who were in the classroom at the time of the alleged incident.
Det Supt Pearson said: "A 14-year-old pupil was found with a number of serious head injuries outside a classroom inside the science block."
He is understood to have been hit with a weight used in science lessons.
Det Supt Pearson told reporters at a press conference outside the school: ''Obviously the whole class is traumatised by what has happened.
"People send their children here from great distances because of its academic record and what happened is very much out of character for the school.
"I know a number of parents have rung the headteacher about what has happened but I would appeal for everyone to be calm, particularly in relation to those people involved."
Jack was taken to King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield but was later transferred to QMC because of concern about his condition.
His family were at the hospital with him last night and his condition is said to have improved 'slightly' this morning.
Today, there were community support officers on guard outside the school.
A police spokeswoman said officers had received a call to the school at about 11am yesterday.
Headteacher Maureen Cobbett sent a letter to parents following the incident.
It read: "I'm writing to you to let you know that there has been an incident involving a pupil.
"The student was injured and has been taken to hospital, where he is receiving treatment.
"The parents of the pupil involved have been informed.
"It would be inappropriate at this stage to make any further comment, pending further investigation."
The letter added that counselling was being arranged for pupils and staff.
A Notts County Council spokesperson today told the Post: "An incident involving a pupil at All Saints' School occurred yesterday morning.
"The student was injured and has been taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment.
"The matter is currently being investigated and it would be inappropriate to make any further comment while the investigation is ongoing.
"We have been told this morning that the pupil's condition has improved slightly."
Two community support officers and several school staff were stood outside the school gates this morning as pupils arrived.
A number of parents spoke of their shock at the injuries to the pupil.
One parent, who did not want to be named, said: "This is a real shock.
"This is a good school and you don't expect things to happen like this when you send your kids here."
A 42-year-old parent said: "I had a phone call from my son yesterday telling me a boy had been injured.
"It is really worrying when things like this happen because you expect your kids will be safe."
Claire Tonks, 23, whose nephew goes to the school, said: "I'm really shocked because I always considered this to be a good school.
"If it had been my nephew who had been injured I don't know what i would have done."
A 48-year-old parent said: "I don't have much idea what has gone on but I've never known anything like this happen before so I was stunned when i got the letter telling me about the boy."
The Mayor of Mansfield, Tony Egginton, sent his daughter to the school.
He said: "It's exceedingly sad that this happened. We don't know the full details but it does seem bizarre that this has happened.
"It's very concerning."
He added: "All Saints is a very reputable school and it has performed extremely well. For this to happen is a bitter blow to their reputation, and the headteacher and the rest of the team have a massive job to build back their name."
Jack Waterhouse
