Boy, 15, arrested after 'lovely, inspirational' female RE teacher is stabbed to death in front of pupils at Catholic school

A woman teacher was stabbed to death at the Catholic secondary school where she taught today as a 15-year-old male pupil was arrested over her killing.
Staff were left in shock after Anne Maguire, 61, who worked at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, was pronounced dead at a hospital after attempts to save her life failed.
It was tonight revealed she was killed with a knife in front of her class, suffering multiple wounds - before the pupil was detained by teachers and later arrested by West Yorkshire Police.
Officers were called just before midday by the  ambulance service who were attending a report of a member of staff having been stabbed.

The incident was reported by students at the scene who also witnessed the offence. Pupils remained at the school this afternoon as police said it 'continued to operate as normal'. 

Stabbed: Anne Maguire, 61, was pronounced dead at a hospital after attempts to save her life failed

Spanish and religious education teacher Mrs Maguire was taken to hospital for treatment but was subsequently pronounced dead. A 15-year-old male pupil was
arrested in connection with the incident and is in custody.
There are nearly 1,000 pupils aged between 11 and 16, and 62 teachers are listed as working there - as well as various academic support staff.
Pupils took to Twitter to describe Mrs Maguire as 'great', an 'inspirational woman' and 'lovely'. One said: 'You were such a caring, funny and hardworking teacher. You'll certainly be missed.'
Pupils began leaving flowers at the school gate, with the message attached to the first bunch reading: 'To a special teacher. We was all sad about it. I will never forget you.'
Kerrianne Ayward, 17, said: ‘She was just lovely. She was helpful and caring and you could have a laugh with her. She was always there for you, even if she didn't know you very well.'
Kerrianne, who left the school two years ago, said: ‘She's been my referee for everything, college, everything. There's no one else you would go to who's better. She was the heart of the school.’

Death: Spanish teacher Mrs Maguire was taken to hospital for treatment but subsequently pronounced dead

Respected: Pupils took to Twitter to describe Mrs Maguire as 'great', an 'inspirational woman' and 'lovely'. One said: 'You were such a caring, funny and hardworking teacher. You'll certainly be missed'

Flower tributes had been left outside the school today, pictured, with one card from a pupil reading: 'A special teacher. We was all sad about it. RIP I will never forget you'

Another tribute at the school read: 'Thanks for everything Mrs Maguire'

Another former pupil, Peter Masefield, 18, said: ‘I just can't understand why her. Of all people. She was the school's figurehead.’
West Yorkshire Police Chief Superintendent Paul Money said tonight: ‘The alarm was raised by the students in the school, some of whom witnessed the offence.
‘A 61-year-old member of staff was treated by paramedics at the scene then taken to hospital but she tragically died.
‘A 15-year-old pupil at the school was detained by teaching staff immediately after this incident occurred and was taken into custody in Leeds.’

Police on scene: The fatal stabbing took place at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, West Yorkshire

Emotional day: Pupils were comforted by adults outside the school gates following the incident today

Talking: A man speaks to two policemen at the gates of the school, which has almost 1,000 pupils

He described the incident as unprecedented and said staff he had spoken to were in shock. He also confirmed the victim suffered a number of stab wounds and a knife was recovered from the scene.

'I just can't understand why her. Of all people. She was the school's figurehead'
Peter Masefield, former pupil

The school, which is a specialist technology college, is consistently oversubscribed - and also has 'a strong Christian and community ethos'. 
Its website says: 'The school has a very good pastoral structure, which it is committed to keeping and teachers receive very good back-up support.'
Detective Superintendent Simon Beldon said: ‘We would like to reassure people that this has been an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to pupils or staff at the school.
‘The situation is under control and officers, including safer schools officers and members of the local neighbourhood policing team, are currently at the school and are liaising closely with staff.

Outside: Pupils remained at the school this afternoon as police said it 'continued to operate as normal'

Chief Superintendent Paul Money spoke at the scene today, describing the incident as 'unprecedented' - adding many staff members were in shock. He confirmed the victim suffered a number of stab wounds

Prime Minister David Cameron today tweeted his condolences to Mrs Maguire's family at this difficult time

'The rest of the school is continuing to operate as normal and we would ask that parents do not attend the site unless directly requested to do so by the school.

'THE BEST TEACHER IN THE WORLD'

Nichola Davies, 34, broke down as she tried to explain why she had driven 40 miles from Goole to pay her respects.
Mrs Davies, who left the school in 1996, said: 'She was just amazing. She was such an incredible lady. It's just so heartbreaking, it really is.'
Others laying flowers hugged each other as they placed notes against the metal railings.
Former pupil Nathan Mulenga, 18, described Mrs Maguire as 'the best teacher in the world'.
He said: ‘Miss Maguire taught me Spanish for five years while I was at the school and she was such a great teacher. She also taught religious education and she was my head of year at the school.
‘When I left in 2012 she always said she would help me and my friends in the future if ever we needed anything.
‘I went to college after leaving the school and she was the one who gave me a reference. she cared about everyone even after they left school. It's absolutely devastating to hear that she's gone.’
Pupils who respected Mrs Maguire had posted on Rate My Teacher to describe her as 'the school's own mother'.
And on Twitter, Lucy Melia said: ‘Everybody has got nothing but pure love for Mrs Maguire. Still haven't met anyone else like her. She was the heart of that school.’
Charlene Rue posted: ‘Cannot get over this. She didn't deserve this at all. One of the nicest teachers, who would have done anything for students. RIP Mrs Maguire.’

‘Our enquiries are at a very early stage but the full circumstances of this incident will obviously be the subject of a full and thorough investigation.’
Tom Riordan, Leeds City Council chief executive, said: ‘We are aware of the serious incident at Corpus Christi Catholic College this morning and our thoughts are with all those concerned.
‘We are working with the school to support pupils and staff at this very upsetting time.
'We wish to reassure people that this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to pupils or staff at the school. We are working closely with the police and helping with their investigation.’
Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: 'This is a truly awful thing to have happened to a teacher in the course of her work to educate the next generation.
'Appalling events like this are thankfully very rare indeed but the death of any teacher in her place of work, which should be a place of safety, is devastating.
'Our condolences go to the family and friends of this teacher, and to students and colleagues at the school. The NUT will provide any help and assistance we can possibly offer to Corpus Christi Catholic College and its community.’
Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, added: ‘We are shocked and saddened to hear the news that a teacher has been stabbed to death at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds.
'Our thoughts are with her family, her colleagues and the students of the school. Teachers carry a great weight for our society and we owe them so much.
'It is terrible that they should be asked to pay this price too. We know that the close community of schools in Leeds will rally round to offer colleagues their support.

DM