Teacher hailed as ‘hero’ after protecting children during Manchester school attack

12 Jun 2026 • 6:16 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Teacher hailed as ‘hero’ after protecting children during Manchester school attack

  • Teacher Maysum Abdullah was stabbed while protecting students during a knife attack at Co-op Academy Manchester in Blackley on Tuesday.
  • A 14-year-old girl has been charged with three counts of attempted murder and two counts of possessing a bladed article following the incident.
  • Two other 14-year-old pupils sustained injuries but have since been released from hospital with no serious harm.
  • Mr Abdullah, 27, is recovering at home with non-life-threatening injuries to his neck and hand, and has been praised as a "hero" by his wife for safeguarding the children.
  • Counter-terrorism officers are investigating the incident, though it has not been declared a terrorist act, and the suspect was initially detained under the Mental Health Act before being released to police custody.

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