A GRAMMAR school is to provide pupils with pastoral support after a teenage boy was taken to hospital following a stabbing.
Police were called following the incident which happened yesterday morning at Larne Grammar School in Co Antrim.
A 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.
The victim, a Year 10 pupil, was taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. His condition is not believed to be life-threatening.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received an emergency call at 11.21am and one emergency crew was dispatched to the scene.
"Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one male patient has been transferred to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children," it said in a statement.
The school contacted parents and guardians by text message in which it said there had been an incident on the premises.
It also said the incident was over and that the school would continue as normal.
In a statement later yesterday, principal Jonathan Wylie said: "The safety and wellbeing of our pupils is always our primary concern and the authorities, including the PSNI, were contacted immediately.
"Parents have also been contacted and we are working with the Education Authority to ensure that pastoral support is available for those who require it.
"This is the first time that an incident of this nature has occurred in school and the thoughts of the entire school community are with the injured pupil and his family."
Mr Wylie said the school would be open today as usual.
UUP East Antrim MLA John Stewart described the incident as "disturbing".
"Although deeply distressing to hear of this type of incident in one of our schools I must commend the school in how they have handled this incident," he said on Facebook.
DUP East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons tweeted: "Awful news coming from Larne Grammar School today – my thoughts are with those affected."
Alliance councillor Danny Donnelly said it was a "very frightening time for families in the town" and he hoped that the injured child was "out of danger and recovering well".
"Certainly it's a very frightening incident for families in the town to hear about – such a violent incident going on in your child's school," he said.
Mr Donnelly also encouraged parents to speak to their children about the dangers of knives.
Larne Grammar School – based at Lower Cairncastle Road – has around 735 pupils and 49 teachers, according to its website.
It describes itself as a "co-educational, non-denominational, voluntary grammar school" with a "caring ethos, friendly pupils and a dedicated staff".
