14-year-old girl arrested after knife attack at Manchester school

A 14-year-old girl was arrested after a knife attack at Co-op Academy Manchester left two pupils and a staff member injured, triggering a school lockdown and a large emergency response in Higher Blackley. Greater Manchester Police said school staff detained the girl before officers arrived and that there was believed to be no wider threat to pupils or staff.

The incident happened on Tuesday 9 June 2026 at Co-op Academy Manchester on Plant Hill Road, Higher Blackley, Manchester M9 0WQ. Police said three people were injured: a 14-year-old schoolgirl, a 14-year-old schoolboy and a 27-year-old male member of staff.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault and remained in custody for questioning. Officers said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack, and that staff at the school had acted quickly to detain the girl before police arrived.

All three injured people were taken to hospital. Police said their injuries were not believed to be serious and all three were stable. The school went into lockdown during the morning incident, while a police helicopter and a large emergency response were reported at the scene.

In a message to parents, headteacher Phill Quirk said everyone was safe, the incident had been contained, and the school had decided to close for the day while arranging permission for pupils to leave. The response highlighted how quickly a school can move from routine lessons to emergency procedures, and how much depends on clear lockdown protocols, rapid communication with families and immediate coordination with police and ambulance crews.

Chief Inspector Jon Shilvock said the incident would cause concern for the school community and said officers would remain in the area to provide reassurance. For the pupils, staff and families linked to Co-op Academy Manchester, the immediate priority was safety and medical care, but the longer task will be understanding what warning signs were missed and how schools can better respond when violence enters a classroom.