A violent incident at Co-op Academy Manchester in Blackley has sent shockwaves through the Oldham community, with a stabbing on Tuesday morning leaving a staff member and two pupils hospitalised. The school, located just a short distance from the Oldham border, was placed into lockdown as police descended on the scene, prompting urgent calls from worried parents and families across the area.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that officers were called to the school on Plant Hill Road shortly after the start of the school day. A male staff member suffered a stab wound to the neck, while a young girl sustained a knife injury to her shoulder and a boy was injured to his ear. All three were taken to hospital, with injuries described as not believed to be serious. A 14-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of Section 18 assault and remains in police custody.

Parents and relatives rushed to the school as news of the incident spread, many still in their pyjamas, with cars abandoned on double yellow lines as traffic came to a halt. For some families from Oldham, the first they heard of the attack was through social media and news alerts, rather than from the school directly. One mother, Tereza, whose son attends the academy, expressed her distress, saying: 'Kids are not safe anymore. The school did not call us. Why did they not call us? We're parents. It's very horrible.' Her comments resonated among the crowd, highlighting concerns about safety in schools close to home.

Co-op Academies Trust later confirmed that staff acted 'bravely' to detain the pupil before emergency services arrived, and stressed that police had stated there was no wider threat to the public. The trust added that the school follows Department for Education guidance on screening and searches but had no reason to conduct a search on any student that morning. This has not allayed fears for some Oldham residents, who worry about similar incidents occurring in local schools.

Former pupil Mercy, aged 20, came to collect her younger sister, reflecting the deep anxiety within the community. 'Nothing like this has ever happened,' she said. 'I'm just happy that my sister is fine. Thank god it's over.' Another father, Malik Rehman, who has two sons at the school, described it as a frightening morning for his family after his Year 9 son witnessed the incident. Fortunately, neither of his sons was harmed, but he noted the emotional toll on the school community.

Grandfather Jeff Lydiate, who was called to collect his grandchildren, described the panic that swept through his family. 'It was really frightening,' he said. 'My daughter was really upset. She rang me to tell me there had been a stabbing.' Such reactions underscore the sense of vulnerability felt by families in Oldham and the surrounding areas, reinforcing the importance of ongoing dialogue about school safety.

Police maintained a significant presence at the scene throughout the morning, with forensics and evidence bags visible as pupils hugged one another outside the gates. While the incident unfolded in Blackley, its proximity to Oldham has made it a topic of urgent concern among local parents and educators, prompting discussions about how to ensure the safety of children in school environments across the region.