A HEADTEACHER has praised staff and students for their behaviour and quick-thinking when a fight broke out outside the school.

An altercation broke out between a male and a group of youths in Dorcan between 2.30 pm and 3pm on Wednesday, starting outside Morrisons in Dorcan Way, and ending outside Dorcan Academy.

The teenage male was taken to hospital with minor injuries and discharged himself later, earlier social media accounts of a stabbing being incorrect.

Dorcan Academy headteacher Sherryl Bareham paid tribute to the swift response of students and teachers who were in class at the time, and witnessed the fight break out.

“It was nothing to do with the school but I couldn’t be prouder of my staff and students and the way they reacted," she said.

"The children were in class at the time and they saw what was happening and alerted the staff.

“The staff reacted instantly and went out to help in any way they could.

"Things like that don’t ever happen outside the school but they went out to help straight away and try to deal with the incident.”

Mrs Bareham said talks will be given to the students on keeping safe

She said: “We will be speaking to the students and advising on safety, making reference to what happened this week.

"None of our students were involved in any way in the incident.”

A series of CCTV pictures have been issued by Wiltshire Police of a number of individuals who officers want to speak to in the wake of the incident.

PC Eric Frempong said: “This is a busy part of Swindon so I am confident a number of people would have seen this. If you heard or saw anything suspicious in this area yesterday please contact us.

“I can understand an incident like this can concern people living and working in this area,

“I want to reassure people we are doing all we can to find the individuals involved and we will be putting on extra patrols - if you see additional police in and around Dorcan, this is why.

“If you can help with our enquiries please contact police on 101 or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111."