A teenager has been charged with attempted murder after an attack at Blundell School in Devon

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A 16-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder after attacks on two fellow pupils and a teacher at a boarding school in Devon.

The teenager was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning following an incident at the prestigious Blundell Private School in Tiverton, which left one boy fighting for his life and another being treated in hospital for serious injuries.

One of the employees, who tried to intervene, was also injured during the accident, but was discharged from the hospital after treatment.

The student, whose name has not been released because of his age, was charged on Saturday with two counts of attempted murder and grievous bodily injury with intent and is due to appear at Exeter Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

Police and ambulance crews were called to the £41,000-a-year school just before 1am on Friday after reports of violent disturbances involving pupils going up to Petergate House.

Two students remain in hospital and one is said to be in critical condition. The families of the two victims are with them and are being supported by police officers.

A 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of causing GBH with intent and police confirmed they had found a stockpile of weapons at the scene.

“horrible time”

Superintendent Commander Toby Davies of the Devon and Cornwall force said: “Our thoughts remain with the injured boys and their families at what must be a horrific time for them. The officers continue to support them and the wider school community.

“We are continuing to fully investigate this incident and a site guard remains in place at the school and is expected to remain there for the rest of the day.”

He also urged people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident and reminded those on social media that the name of the suspect cannot be mentioned.

Mr Davies explained: “These rules are not only to be adhered to by media organizations; they also apply to members of the public and include information posted via social media.

“This could be seen as interfering with a direct investigation and active criminal prosecution and could therefore hold those who do not comply in contempt of court.

“We therefore remind the public that it is essential not to speculate on the identity of the victims or the suspect in this case.”

“It is very disturbing and sad.”

Meanwhile, anxious parents of the children staying at the 400-year-old school kept coming to the weekend to check on their well-being.

The mother of a pupil at Blundell Preparatory School told The Telegraph: “It’s very upsetting for everyone involved when anything like this happens at the school, especially the children, but also the parents and staff. It’s very worrying and sad for us.”

The school was founded in 1604 after the death of Peter Blundell, a local merchant who was one of the richest men in England and left £20,000 to be spent on building a school for a maximum of 150 boys.

The first girl was admitted to the sixth grade in 1975 and is now fully co-ed. About two-thirds of the upper school board members are a mix of single-sex and mixed-houses.

The school, which is situated on the edge of Dartmoor, is renowned for the athletic prowess of its pupils.

It has a string of notable sports alumni, including Dom Pace, who plays for the England Test cricket team, and England rugby union players Matt Kvesic and Jack Maunder.

Also former pupils include reality TV star Georgia Toffolo, John Windham, author of Day of the Triffids, and Vic Marks, former Somerset and England cricketer.

Bart Willinga, the current principal, has written to all parents to reassure them it was an ‘isolated incident’ and there is no greater risk to other pupils.

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