Blood scare hits school

Thirteen pupils at a Shropshire school are facing blood tests after being pricked with a needle by a classmate during a game which went wrong.The Year 9 youngsters at Idsall School in Shifnal, aged 13 and 14, were hurt by the homemade dart brought in by a fellow pupil yesterday.

Letters have now been sent out to the parents of the affected teenagers advising them they need to be checked for the Hepatitis B virus.

The student who brought in the device was told to stay at home today while the matter is dealt with by staff.

Headteacher Don Gibbons said the circumstances were being investigated by the school and the blood tests were precautionary.

He said the game had involved a sewing needle and a pipe.

"It was a game that went wrong," he said. "It's difficult to say at this stage, but the needle wasn't brought into the school to attack other pupils.

"The children didn't understand the consequences of what they were doing but because a needle was involved it is a significant incident for us."

Staff were alerted about the game by worried pupils who witnessed what was going on during a break.

The school contacted the Health Protection Agency, an independent body which works to protect the health and well-being of the population, for information about what action to take.

Disciplinary action could be taken against the pupils involved in the incident.

Mr Gibbons said: "It is the concern about the transfer of infection that is the primary concern here.

"We spoke to the Health Protection Agency to seek their advice, and staff there were very reassuring. The risk is very low.

"I've spoken to each parent by telephone and I am sending home a letter this afternoon."

He said the incident had met with a range of reactions from parents.

"Some are very understanding and a lot were thanking us for letting them know," he said. "Some of them were quite understandably upset about it.

"I am considering disciplinary action. I will be speaking to parents about it next week.

"Clearly it is putting other children in danger and we have to take that very seriously indeed."

By Lizzie Yates