Published: January 27, 2012
by PAVAN AMARA

PUPILS have leaped to the defence of their school after a mob of youths – some masked with red bandanas and armed with knives – attempted to attack a 14-year-old boy on its grounds.

Eight police cars attended Islington Arts and Media School (IAMS) in Marriott Road, Finsbury Park, after staff spotted what was described as a 60-strong group approaching the school at around 4pm on Friday. Pupils were taken inside for their own safety.

Headteacher Diana Usage confirmed one of the school’s pupils had been targeted by a group and that “quick thinking”  by staff had prevented the boy being hurt.

She added: “Staff saw immediately what was going on and brought the pupil back into the school. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

“The police have raised their presence in our area and we are working with them to address the cause of this disturbance and ensure that our students remain safe. If anyone has any information about the incident on Friday I urge them to contact the police.”

IAMS is a mixed comprehensive school with about 750 pupils aged between 11-16.

Current and ex-pupils of the school, which was rated “good” by Ofsted inspectors last year, plastered internet forums with messages of support.

One wrote: “I’m from this school and it wasn’t 60. Just like three – guys with bandanas and 60 kids angry, scared and panicking. This (the report) is so ‘gassed’ (slang for exaggerated). Why should a few kids make all of us look bad?”

An ex-student, who graduated last year, using the name “Jack”, wrote that problems were rare at the school.

“It’s a great school with amazing teachers and really clever kids who face a lot of problems,” he wrote.

“I never got involved in this sort of thing, but as is the nature of having an inclusive inner London school, accepting many kids expelled from elsewhere, things like this will happen.”

He added that longer term plans were needed to prevent crime, rather than a hasty media outcry.

“It’s only through projects like the £17.8million rebuild [of the school last year] that kids like this will be encouraged to make a change, and choose education not crime. Those saying negative things need to take a look at themselves, or at least take a look at the school’s Ofsted. I hope such people would have the guts to let Islington Arts and Media, or other schools like it, prove them wrong.”

A spokesman for the Met Police said: “A 14-year-old boy was arrested for possession of a knife and has been bailed until February 3.

“A 15-year-old and a 16-year-old boy were arrested on public order offences. They have been bailed until February 1 and February 2 respectively. Those arrested are from two different schools.”

The Town Hall declined to comment.