Keir Starmer expresses condolences as 15-year-old boy fatally stabbed at Sheffield school is identified

The 15-year-old boy who was stabbed to death at a school in Sheffield this afternoon has been named. 

Harvey Willgoose, the teenager involved in the incident, was quickly taken to the hospital with severe injuries following the attack at All Saints Catholic High School. The police responded to the courtyard where the altercation took place at 12:17 pm.

Following the attack, emergency services, including paramedics and an air ambulance, swiftly arrived at the school located on Granville Road. The classrooms were put on lockdown, and the school grounds were closed off in response to the situation.

Harvey was later confirmed to have died from his injuries shortly before 4pm.

Keir Starmer said the ‘whole country’ will ‘mourn with’ the teen’s family after the devastating loss. 

The Prime Minister expressed condolences in a statement regarding the tragic event in Sheffield: ‘The terrible stabbing in Sheffield is one where I think the whole country would want to reach out to the family, the friends, to the school, the entire community, in their grief and mourn with them.’ The community was urged to come together to support those affected by the incident.

‘Obviously there will be an investigation, but I think at this point I simply speak for the country, to the individuals affected, to the family in particular, but everybody impacted by this awful situation – a young boy has gone to school and hasn’t returned home.

‘And so my first thoughts as Prime Minister and as a father are with the family.’

Harvey’s grieving mother Caroline Willgoose tonight displayed poignant childhood photos of him on Facebook as friends and relatives tried to console her with heartfelt messages. 

The teen was allegedly ‘stabbed three times’ by a fellow student he had ‘shared threatening messages with’, according to a local youth, 18, who has friends at the school.

But others claimed Harvey was the victim of bullying and was threatened at knifepoint at school last week.

The alleged assailant had apparently brought a blade into school last week, according to one furious parent. On January 29, All Saints also went into ‘lock down’, they said.

A parent said: ‘I’ve been told it’s the same lad who caused the lock down last Wednesday who has now killed the schoolboy today.

‘How can the school have allowed this to happen today when only five days ago the danger was known about?’

Forensics officers could be seen inside the school working behind police tape.

Friends and family paid moving tributes to the teenager on social media.

In one post on Instagram a friend wrote: ‘Rip Harvey’ with a heart emoji, adding ‘Absolutely devastated with the news doesn’t feel real whatsoever. Such a kind lad and didn’t deserve this at all, brought so much good times running this club with me and you was such a funny person to be around.

‘Prayers go out to his family. Rest easy, goose.’

Another friend claimed that Harvey had been a victim of bullying and had recently been threatened at knifepoint at school. 

He said: ‘Harvey was an amazing lad.

‘What has happened is horrific.

‘He was the victim of bullying.

‘He was threatened with a knife at the school last week. It’s heartbreaking.

‘Harvey was one in a million. He had his whole life ahead of him.

‘It’s a tragedy beyond words.

‘He had a lot of friends, was a huge Sheffield United fan. He loved football.

‘He lived a peaceful life. He was being bullied though.’

One friend posted on Instagram: ‘Forever 15 Goosey.’

Classmates of the boy tonight paid tribute at the school gates.

The tragic 15-year-old was described as ‘one of the sweetest souls’ by fellow pupils at the school in South Yorkshire. 

Flowers, balloons, an England flag and a card were this evening left at the school gates in tribute to the tragic teen.

A teenage girl, speaking with her mother’s permission, said: ‘He was one the sweetest souls and he lit up every room.

‘I will never forget him and all the funny comments he would make.

‘He was loved by so many and will be really missed.’

South Yorkshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield said in a statement outside the force’s headquarters: ‘It is with great sadness that I share with you today, a teenager has died following the stabbing at a Sheffield school earlier today

‘Our thoughts are with the family of the boy, his friends and the whole school community.

‘At 12.17pm, emergency services were called to All Saints Catholic High School on Granville Road.

‘The victim, a 15-year-old boy, suffered serious injuries and despite the best efforts of the ambulance service, he sadly died a short time later.

‘A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in our custody at this time.’

Assistant Chief Constable Butterfield went on: ‘We know that what has happened will cause significant distress and concern.

‘I would like to reassure you that our officers will remain on scene and in the local area to offer reassurance to parents, staff and local residents as our investigation continues.

‘Although we are in the early stages of our inquiries, we are working at pace to build a full picture of how this tragedy has unfolded.

‘We urge you to be mindful that there are loved ones at the centre of this and they are grieving the profound loss of a teenage boy in the most devastating of circumstances.

‘We would therefore ask you to avoid speculation and the sharing of online content which could be distressing to them and detrimental to our investigation.

‘We urge anyone with any information that they believe can assist us to get in touch.’

In a message home to parents today, the school said: ‘Students will be released when police give permission.’

This marks the second time in less than a week All Saints’ has been locked down, after staff and pupils were given the ‘stay put’ order on January 29 over ‘threats of violence’ between a ‘small number of students.’

This first incident led to those involved being ‘escorted off the premises’ with no violence or injuries reported.

Headteacher Sean Pender said in a message to parents that today’s the incident involved two students.

He said: ‘I am writing to inform you that today we have dealt with an extremely serious incident here in school resulting in us going in to a lockdown procedure.

‘The incident involved two students, one of whom we believe has been seriously injured. All other students are contained and safe.

‘The police and paramedics are present in school. Once the police allow us to, we will be releasing all students from school.

‘I understand the level of anxiety you will be feeling without knowledge of the nature of the incident but at this time I have limited information to share with you whilst we have police and paramedics on site.

‘I will endeavour to update you with as much information as possible at the earliest opportunity. We ask for your prayers and support at this time.’

A parent, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Star today: ‘This is frightening to hear so soon after a previous incident and I hope and pray everyone is okay and the incident is resolved peacefully.

‘Now is not the time for recriminations but the school will have some serious questions to answer in the coming days.’

Amaan Ahmed, one of the managers at Castle Asian Community Trust and Mosque in nearby Norfolk Road, said: ‘This area has seen an increase in crime recently. 

‘Cars are being stolen and vandalised, there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour – it is quite rampant in the area. It is concerning, especially being a community centre.

‘We provide facilities for people to pray and we have children who are afraid. We are very saddened to hear the news from the school.’

Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh has said ‘serious question will have to be answered’ after the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy at a school in her constituency.

‘Horrific news that the young pupil from All Saints High School has died,’ the Labour MP posted to Facebook.

‘All my thoughts are with his family and friends, and the entire community at All Saints.

‘A teenager is in custody and South Yorkshire Police have assured parents that there is no ongoing risk at the school.

‘A criminal investigation will now obviously take place, but serious questions will have to be answered about how this could have happened and I will be working with the school, the police and the council to make sure they are.’

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: ‘This morning a teenage boy went to school like thousands of others across South Yorkshire but won’t come home; a young man who was a member of our community, with his whole life ahead of him.

‘My love, my thoughts and my prayers are with his family and friends, and the whole community of All Saints Catholic High School.’

Mr Coppard, who has police and crime commissioner responsibilities, added: ‘The vast majority of our young people don’t carry knives, but one incidence of knife crime is one too many, because when we do see knife crime happen all too often the consequences are utterly devastating, as they have been today.

‘I have spoken to the Chief Constable and offered her my full support as she carries out her investigation and continues to do everything she can to prioritise tackling knife crime across South Yorkshire.’

A 2023 Ofsted report rated the school, which had 1,398 pupils at the time, as ‘Good’.

Inspectors found that most pupils behaved well, and they said ‘a strong ethos of warmth and respect pervades this school’.

Anyone with information has been urged to call 101 quoting number 327 of February 3, 2025. 

If you wish to make a report anonymously you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.