Police probe 'knuckleduster attack' on pupil

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said inquiries were ongoing into the incident at Sheffield Park Academy on Friday afternoon. Police are in the school this week to "maintain calm", he added.

Park Academy, formerly Waltheof School, remains on Ofsted's failing blacklist and last week's school performance tables revealed it has one of the worst records for unauthorised absence in the country.

A spokesman for the United Learning Trust, which runs the school, said: "The academy is working closely with the police whilst also undertaking its own inquiry into the incident, with a view to taking immediate and direct action against those involved.

"The incident appears to stem from ongoing community-related issues, involving a small minority of individuals.

"The academy would like to make it clear that it does not tolerate this kind of behaviour."