Two pupils shot in head and hand with gun at gates of Birmingham school forcing teacher to intervene

Two Year 11 pupils, aged either 15 or 16, were injured - one with swelling to the head and the other had a hand injury - and one 16yr-old has been arrested

Police were called after two boys were shot in the head and hand at a Birmingham school

Two pupils were shot in the head and in the hand with a gun at the school gates of a Birmingham school.

It's tonight emerged a member of staff who was at the gate at the time was forced to intervene but was unhurt.

Police are investigating the incident after they were called to Waverley School in Yardley Green Road in the Bordesley Green area just before 10:30am this morning.

Two Year 11 pupils - aged either 15 or 16 - had been injured by a pellet gun.

One had swelling to the head and the other had a hand injury.

One 16-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage.

There is some confusion tonight over the identity of those involved - police said in a statement the incident involved pupils but the school headteacher told the Birmingham Mail it involved "former pupils".

Both pupils' injuries are described as minor - and both refused medical treatment.

The incident is understood to have happened by school grounds off Yardley Green.

It is being described as an isolated incident - the pupils involved are known to each other.

Police said in statement they were treating it seriously.

It said: “Police were called to Waverley School in Yardley Green Road, Bordesley Green, Birmingham just before 10:30am after two year 11 pupils received minor injuries, one with swelling to the head and the other with a hand injury, from a pellet gun.

"They left the school a short while later having refused medical treatment.

"A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage.

"Investigations are on-going to establish what happened but officers believe this was an isolated incident and that the pupils involved are known to each other.

“We would like to reassure parents that we are treating the report seriously.”

The school tonight issued a statement.

It read: "We are aware of an incident taking place outside the school mid-morning.

"A member of staff who was at the gate at the time intervened and police were called and took appropriate action.

"At no point were any staff or students within the school site placed at risk.

"As this is a police matter the school is unable to comment further.”

Waverley School describes itself online: "We are an outstanding school for pupils aged 4-19, a Teaching School and with a fabulous new building and resources, including a virtual base for SEN students."

Parents were tonight complaining that they had not been notified.

One, Shaheen Hussain - who has a pupil at each of the primary and secondary schools, said: "I have not heard about this but this is very worrying.

"We have not been notified by the school about it.

"Yes it’s a good school but I find this very concerning and I’m sure the other parents will too."

One who has a child in Year 10, who did not want to be named, said: "I’m very shocked to hear that has happened. It is generally a very decent school.”

Another parent, who also did not want to be named, said: "We live close by so it makes sense to send our children here.

"It is very concerning to hear. We did not know anything about this.”

And Lambru Manole, who has one child at the institution, said: "The school is very good but the children not so much.

"Teaching is excellent but I’m not shocked to hear of this.

"Children are children and this is the way it is unfortunately.”

The school's Ofsted report in 2014 praised students' "awareness of risks to their personal safety".

It said: "The watchdog’s inspector said: “Older students show maturity in appreciating their potential for modelling good behaviour to younger pupils.”

It added: "They show a very good awareness of risks to their personal safety and well-being both in and beyond the school, including when on the internet, from crime and from the risks of radicalisation and extremism.

"This stems directly from the successful work of the school to maintain safeguarding as an explicit priority, alongside its work to ensure high levels of community cohesion.

"Students are free to express their views and concerns and feel that there is always an adult to turn to, and help them."