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School closed after fatal stabbing reopens

Victoria Scheer
BBC News, Yorkshire
BBC/Heidi Tomlinson A police officer in a hi-vis vest outside the school gates. Numerous floral tributes have been placed along the right side of the gate and wall, together with balloons.BBC/Heidi Tomlinson
Police outside All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield on Thursday

A Sheffield school which closed following a fatal stabbing has reopened to pupils.

All Saints Catholic High School had been closed since Monday after pupil Harvey Willgoose was stabbed in the chest twice at about 12:17 GMT.

A boy, aged 15, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court earlier charged with his murder, possession of a bladed article and affray.

Children, some with flowers, began arriving at the school as police remained at the scene to provide reassurance.

Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, Harvey's family said his death had devastated them.

Mum Caroline Willgoose said: "I don't want to go to sleep because I don't want to wake up and have to relive it all and remember it."

Family handout A black and white picture of the teenager who is laughing. He wears sunglasses on the top of his head, trees and plants can be seen in the background.Family handout
Harvey Willgoose died after being stabbed in the chest at school

She said Harvey's final words to her before he left home to go to school on Monday had been "I love you".

The teenager's uncle, Simon Turner, said he had received a call that afternoon and immediately "knew something was wrong".

"We are such a close family," he said.

"I've never experienced anything like it in my life and I wouldn't wish it on anybody."

Mr Turner wears a black jacket and sits in front of a brick wall. He has short hair and no facial hair.
Harvey's uncle Simon Turner said the support from the community had been "unbelievable"

Mr Turner said the support from people across the county and the UK had helped "unbelievably".

"Everyone's pulled together, [I'm] really proud of everyone," he said.

"The family are strong but the community is making us even stronger."

Mr Turner said he hoped deaths like Harvey's could be prevented in the future.

"It was too late for Harvey but there's got to be someone else out there that we can be early enough to prevent this from happening again," he said.

BBC/Heidi Tomlinson A pupil holding a bouquet of flowers as they walk past a wall lined with floral tributes.BBC/Heidi Tomlinson
Pupils returned to school, some with flowers, on Thursday

Dozens of floral tributes and cards have been left outside the school gates and at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane ground.

Steve Davies, on behalf of the school, said All Saints would "do all we can" to support staff and pupils in the weeks ahead.

Mr Davies described Harvey as an "immensely popular" young man whose "smile would light up the room".

"Harvey was young. He was precious. He was loved," he said.

Several football clubs have also paid tribute to the teenager, who was a Sheffield United fan.

On Tuesday, Rotherham United honoured Harvey with a minute's applause at the 15th minute of the match against Bradford City.

A mass is due to take place at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Handsworth on Saturday.

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