A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD sparked a safety alert by taking a knife into a Southampton school.

The young pupil was found with what is thought to be a carving knife at Foundry Lane primary school in the city.

However, the child's parent said the knife was a peeling knife, which he had bought in to show friends.

It comes just weeks after a ten-year-old child was excluded at Newlands Primary School for bringing a knife into school in an attempt to re-enact a video game.

The latest incident - which took place on January 25 - was described as "serious" by Foundry Lane head teacher Sean Taylor.

But in a letter to parents Mr Taylor said the child did not have "malicious intent."

In the letter - which the school said was sent to all parents - Mr Taylor said: "Appropriate measures have been taken.

"Our school is committed to the safety of all our students. We also want to clearly communicate with parents about safety issues when they arise.

"The class teacher received this information this morning and immediately removed the bag containing the knife.

"The student and their parents are being supported following this incident and at no time were any pupils put at risk."

Mr Taylor added that PCSOs would be visiting the school and that the Safer Neighbourhood Team has been contacted.

But one parent - who did not want to be named, said: "I’m not happy, not happy at all. When they put out a letter to parents they only told Year 3 parents, rather than the whole school.

“They didn’t even report it to the police.

"It's the safety of the school - not all parents knew.”

In a statement the school initially said the parents of the class were informed by letter - but later said all parents at the school were told.

Councillor Darren Paffey, Southampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Aspiration, Schools and Lifelong Learning, said: “We are aware of two separate incidents involving pupils bringing knives to school in the past month.

"We are confident both situations were resolved in a swift and appropriate manner by the head teachers.

"In both instances, the police will be coming into the schools to speak to the pupils about knives and the associated dangers.”

“It is never acceptable to bring a knife into school for any reason. Parents, teachers, police and children themselves all have a part to play in making sure that message gets through and the council will be working with schools to support this.”

Hampshire police said they did not have any record of an incident at the school on January 25.

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