A teenage girl has been charged following a disturbance that triggered a lockdown at Haberdashers’ Knights Academy in Bromley earlier this year.
Police were called to the school grounds on May 16 after three pupils from another school entered the site without permission. Officers spoke with the girls involved and, as a precaution, staff implemented the school’s lockdown procedure.
The Crown Prosecution Service has now confirmed that one of the girls, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with common assault against Charlene Ponteen, vice-principal of Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South.
She also faces a charge of possessing a sharply pointed article on school premises. It is alleged that on May 15, the day before the lockdown, she had in her possession a hairbrush with a pointed end.
The girl is expected to appear before Bromley Magistrates’ Court later this week.
Parents reassured
Following the incident, parents at the Knights Academy received a letter from the school, reassuring them that pupils had remained safe at all times.
The letter explained:
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The three girls involved were from another local school.
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They had entered the grounds but did not gain access to the school building.
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Staff “acted swiftly” and in line with safeguarding procedures.
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Police responded promptly, and no one was harmed.
In the message to parents, the school said:
“The safety and wellbeing of our pupils and staff is our priority and I want to reassure you that they were safe at all times. We have been in contact with the leadership team at the other school and they are committed to working with us and their students to avoid this happening again.”
The school also urged parents to avoid speculation and reassured families that any necessary support would be provided to pupils and staff.
Ongoing investigation
Police enquiries into the wider circumstances of the incident are continuing.
Anyone with further concerns has been asked to contact the school directly.
