School trust given notice to improve after killing

A trust which runs the school where a 15-year-old boy was fatally stabbed by another pupil has been issued with a notice to improve over safeguarding failings.

Harvey Willgoose was murdered by Mohammed Umar Khan at All Saints Catholic High School, in Sheffield, on 3 February 2025.

An independent review commissioned by St Clare Catholic Multi Academy Trust identified serious shortcomings in the school's handling of safeguarding concerns.

Following on from the review the Department for Education (DfE) issued the trust with a formal notice to improve, with Harvey's mother, Caroline Willgoose, saying: "Lessons need to be learnt from this all over the country, because this cannot happen again."

In a letter published on Friday, the DfE said the findings showed the trust board had failed to comply with safeguarding measures set out in academy guidance.

According to the letter, the review, which has not been published, found that national guidance on searching, screening and confiscation had not been followed, and that procedures for responding to reports of weapons were not properly applied.

It also highlighted multiple failures in record-keeping and communication around safeguarding concerns.

Harvey's parents said the findings underlined their concerns, adding that the issues identified reflected warnings they believe were not properly acted on.

They previously said "too many red flags" had been missed and argued the school could have saved their son's life.

To meet the terms of the notice, the trust must strengthen its procedures, including reviewing and updating safeguarding policies, commissioning a further external review, and appointing a trustee or director to take lead responsibility for safeguarding.

It must also ensure safeguarding information is consistently recorded and shared.

If the trust does not carry out the measures it could lose funding.

A spokesperson for St Clare Catholic Multi Academy Trust said Harvey's death was "a profound tragedy" which continued to be felt across the community.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with Harvey's family," they said.

The spokesperson said the trust had already begun work on all the required improvements and would continue to work closely with the DfE.

"Safeguarding will always be our highest priority," they said.

A DfE spokesperson said the trust had already taken "positive steps" and that it would "keep a close eye on progress until we are confident the necessary changes are in place".

Khan was found guilty of murdering Harvey after a trial last year and detained for life with a minimum term of 16 years.

Additional reporting by PA Media

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