A headteacher on Friday blamed bubbling “community tensions” for a chaotic outbreak of violence that saw pupils fighting running battles across school grounds, leaving one staff member hospitalised and others injured. The Mail has the story.

Up to 20 police cars swarmed the school gates as the mass fight broke out at 1,000-pupil Fir Vale Academy in Sheffield at midday Thursday.

Several staff members and students were injured and South Yorkshire Police said a member of staff was sent to hospital with wounds that were not life-threatening.

In a letter sent to parents yesterday afternoon, the school described the incident as having stemmed from “community tensions spilling over onto school grounds”.

The academy school is in the inner-city Burngreave district of Sheffield.

Pupils were able to leave the premises safely at the end of the school day as there was no evidence of weapons being used. …

The new letter, published on the school’s website and signed by Principal Danny Bullock, reads: “Dear Parents and Carers, You will be aware of a serious incident at school this morning which resulted in the police being called. Whilst taking place within school, the incident stemmed from recent community tensions.

Read more: Violent Mass School Fight Which Left Teacher in Hospital and Injured Staff Was Caused by “Community Tensions”