Cwmcarn schoolgirls excluded over suspected murder plot

Two schoolgirls arrested on suspicion of conspiring to murder a teacher at Cwmcarn High School, have been permanently excluded.

The girls, aged 14 and 15, were arrested last week after concerns were raised about their behaviour.

Alison Cray, the maths teacher at the centre of the alleged plot, praised the school for the swift action taken over the incident.

The teens have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

A Maths teacher at the centre of a suspected murder plot at a school in Caerphilly has praised the school for its handling of the incident.

Gwent Police were called to Cwmcarn High School on Thursday morning after concerns were raised about the behaviour of two pupils.

Miss Alison Cray, 46, had been working at the school for more than 10 years.

She said: "It was all handled before it got to me."I know very little about it. It all happened elsewhere and I wasn't directly involved at all.

"I've very lucky that I'm at Cwmcarn and that they have handled it so well. I've been working as normal and I'm fine."

A 15-year-old girl from Newbridge was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill, possession of a bladed article on a school premises and conspiracy to commit murder.

The 14-year-old girl from Risca was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

Nobody was harmed as a result of the incident and the matter was resolved peacefully, police say.

The two girls have since been released on bail.

Cwmcarn High School is an 11-18 mixed comprehensive school serving the former mining village and its rural surrounding areas.

The foundation school website says: "The school offers the pupils a supportive environment and recognises the potential of all of the pupils."

Rex Phillips from the NASUWT union, which represents a large number of teachers at Cwmcarn High School, says they are "shocked and concerned by what appears to be a very serious incident" at the school yesterday.

More: Cwmcarn High head: School is 'committed to safety'

In a statement on Cwmcarn High School's website, headteacher Jacqui Peplinski said "concerns were dealt with swiftly".

"There was no risk to any staff or learner and the relevant support services were contacted as a precautionary measure."

"Cwmcarn High is a caring and safe environment and we are committed to everyone’s safety."

More: Cwmcarn schoolgirls were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder

Gwent Police say the 15-year-old girl from Newbridge was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill, possession of a bladed article on a school premises and conspiracy to commit murder.

The 14-year-old girl from Risca was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

More: Gwent schoolgirls bailed after Cwmcarn High School arrests

Two teenage girls have been released on bail after police were called to Cwmcarn High School, Gwent, following "concerns" about their behaviour.

The pupils, a 15 year old girl from Newbridge and a 14 year old girl from Risca, were arrested at the school on Thursday morning.

"Officers were called to Cwmcarn High School at approximately 11:54am yesterday, Thursday 1st May, following concerns being raised about the behaviour of two pupils" said a Gwent Police spokesperson.

"Nobody was harmed as a result of the incident, and the matter was resolved peacefully."