A Burngreave Councillor has spoken out following the violence at Fir Vale academy last month, which saw a member of staff carried out on a stretcher.

On Thursday February 26, following a disturbance at around midday, multiple students and one staff member were left with minor injuries, whilst another, since discharged, was hospitalised.

Councillor Mark Jones said: “I would like to thank all those agencies that have acted to address this unacceptable violence. My thought go with those brave teachers who stepped up to try and stop this violence as well as the Police who have stepped in to restore order on two separate occasions.”

Councillor Jones added: “There is no place for this violence in our society. That this violence it is linked to politics is deeply regrettable.

We all must look to our own behaviour, the hostility to others, the hatred of others’ views and question if we are helping the debate or fuelling the fires. To condemn the behaviour of others, whilst engaging in base bigotry shows not just disrespect for others, but for ourselves. We should all know better. We must all act better.”

The school in Page Hall was ranked by Ofsted as requiring improvement in behaviour and attitudes in February 2025.

Fir Vale Academy’s principal, Danny Bullock wrote in a letter to parents: “Whilst taking place within school, the incident stemmed from recent community tensions.”

Mr Bullock added: “We are clear the school is not the appropriate forum for community tensions to be addressed and the school should be a place of respect, learning and stability.

 “We will be doing everything within our power to ensure that those responsible for the incident are dealt with effectively by the police and the relevant authorities… I would like to thank staff and the majority of students for their calmness and responsibility during what was an unsettling event.”

Sheffield Superintendent Paul Ferguson said: “We understand this incident will have caused significant concern in the local community, especially for families who had children in school at the time.”