Teenage boy, 15, accused of killing 15-year-old student Harvey Willgoose by stabbing him at school

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Harvey Willgoose, 15, who was stabbed to death at a school in Sheffield, the CPS said today.

Harvey Willgoose was taken to the hospital with ‘serious injuries’ following an incident at All Saints Catholic High School, which prompted a police call at 12.17pm on Monday afternoon.

The emergency services arrived at the school courtyard to a chaotic scene, while classrooms went into lockdown and the grounds were sealed off during the aftermath.

During the start of their lunch break, frightened students at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield heard a disturbance and cries, prompting them to flee in fear.

Despite efforts to save Harvey, he was later confirmed to have died from his injuries shortly before 4pm.

The 15-year-old boy charged with his murder was also charged with possession of a bladed article and one count of affray – a public order offence that involves fighting in public in a way that threatens or alarms others.

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

Chris Hartley, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, said: ‘The Crown Prosecution Service has reviewed a file of evidence from South Yorkshire Police.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Harvey Willgoose (pictured), 15, who was stabbed to death at a school in Sheffield, the CPS have said

Emergency services were met with a scene of chaos as they swooped on the school courtyard, while classrooms were plunged into lockdown and the grounds were closed in the aftermath 

Harvey’s grieving mother, Caroline Willgoose, pictured on the day she laid flowers down for her son

‘We have authorised South Yorkshire Police to charge a 15-year-old with murder in relation to the death of Harvey Willgoose, 15, at All Saints Catholic High School on 3 February. He has also been charged with possession of a bladed article and one count of affray.

‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that the youth has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’

The first hearing in this case is set to take place on Wednesday, 5 February at Sheffield Youth Court.

On Tuesday afternoon, Harvey’s mother Caroline Willgoose and other family members visited the school, where flowers, balloons and cards have been left for the popular pupil.

In a heartbreaking statement issued through South Yorkshire police, the family paid tribute to their ‘Harvey Goose’ as they said their lives ‘will never be the same again’.

They said: ‘We are utterly heartbroken at the loss of our beautiful boy, Harvey Goose.

‘Our lives are devastated and will never be the same again. We have lost a beloved son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and most importantly, a best friend to all.

‘Harvey will be forever known for being a caring, loving and funny young man.

‘At this difficult time we ask you to please respect our privacy as we grieve as a family.’

Ms Willgoose displayed poignant childhood photos of her son on Facebook on Monday night, as friends and relatives tried to console her with heartfelt messages.

Harvey Willgoose (pictured) was rushed to hospital with ‘serious injuries’ after the attack at All Saints Catholic High School, where police were called at 12.17pm on Monday afternoon 

Grieving friends pictured crying as they laid down flowers for Harvey after he was killed

Emergency services raced to the All Saints Catholic High School (pictured) courtyard as classrooms were plunged into lockdown

The victim’s grandfather was too upset to give a full comment. ‘None of the family really know what’s happened yet so I just can’t say anything,’ he said.

On Monday, a neighbour said: ‘Harvey and his dad were huge Sheffield United fans. It is just too awful for words.’

Others claimed Harvey, described as the ‘sweetest soul’ by devastated friends, was the victim of bullying and was threatened at knifepoint at the school last week.

The alleged assailant had apparently brought a blade into the school on Granville Road last week, according to one furious parent. On January 29, All Saints had gone into a ‘lockdown’, they said.

A parent said: ‘I’ve been told it’s the same lad who caused the lockdown 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?’

So far neither the school nor police have commented on whether the tragedy was linked to this previous incident.

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

A crime officer outside All Saints Catholic High School on Granville Road in Sheffield 

Mother Caroline Willgoose posted on social media saying: ‘My Harvey. Life is never gunner be the same love you so much’

Ms Willgoose lays flowers at All Saints Catholic School in Sheffield after her son was killed

The Prime Minister said in a statement: ‘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.

‘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.’

Meanwhile, devastated friends and family paid moving tributes to the teenager on social media.

A friend wrote on Instagram ‘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.’

Harvey Willgoose pictured with his mother Caroline, who posted a heartbreaking tribute to her son on social media

Harvey and his mother Caroline pictured together in a post made on social media

Another friend shared: ‘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.’

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan also paid tribute to the teen on social media, writing on X: ‘RIP Harvey Willgoose … Can’t quite believe what has happened at a Sheffield school..x.’