Chaos erupted at a school with reports of a pupil with a knife before police detained a student for allegedly assaulting a staff member.

The Watford Observer was told about “mass commotion” and “multiple fights” at Future Academies Watford on Thursday (October 13) – with videos of the bedlam emerging online.

Footage shot inside shows students flocking towards a stairway and gathering around a disturbance with hysterical screaming in the background.

A separate video shows what appears to be a staff member ushering pupils away with some walking back with hands over their mouths in shock.

A Herts Police spokesperson said officers were called at around 11.15am, adding: “It was reported that a pupil had been verbally abusive towards a member of staff, before becoming physically aggressive.

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“Officers attended and a 14-year-old boy was detained. The matter remains under investigation.”

The offence was listed as “an assault without injury”.

They continued: “Whilst at the scene, officers were made aware of a separate incident after allegations were made that a pupil was in possession of a knife.

“Enquiries were carried out but no weapons were found. No arrests were made in relation to this incident.”

However, the Watford Observer was told students were “taking part in a surging trend where they would attack a student and create a stampede just to gather attention”.

“This created absolute chaos where teachers and senior leadership were unable to control the crowd of students running across the whole school compound in a large mob.”

A Future Academies Watford spokesperson said: “Recently a number of students have been following a social media trend that stands at odds with our school’s values and expectations.

“We have taken the strongest possible action to address this – and we will continue to take a robust approach to deal with any student who takes part in this trend moving forward.

“In addition, we have run a number of assemblies and interventions to remind our students of the expectations that we have.”

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They continued: “While we do not deny that this trend has impacted on the smooth running of the school over the last week, it is important to stress that there is also a considerable amount of speculation and rumour that is not correct and accurate.

“We would like to assure our parents that we are taking this incredibly seriously, and will leave no stone unturned to stop such behaviour continuing to reoccur.

“Alongside our work in school, we have sought the involvement of the police to help stress how unacceptable this behaviour is. We are also working with other partners to provide additional capacity and support.”

A social media page, which had the recent videos alongside others reportedly showing pupils fighting, has now been removed. 

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