Ann Maguire: 15-Year-Old Charged With Murder Of Corpus Christi College Teacher

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of much-loved teacher Ann Maguire who was stabbed to death in front of her pupils.

The 61-year-old was months away from retiring, after working at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds for more than 40 years, when she was attacked in a classroom on Monday morning in front of around 30 pupils.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge the 15-year-old with the murder.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will first appear at Leeds Youth Court tomorrow and at Leeds Crown Court for a bail hearing on Friday, the CPS said.

Floral tributes have been left outside the school where Ann Maguire was killed

In a statement, Peter Mann, head of the CPS Yorkshire and Humberside Complex Casework Unit, said: "The family of Mrs Maguire have been informed of this decision and they will be offered a meeting to explain the trial process and answer any questions they may have."

The head of the school, Steve Mort, earlier described his immense pride at leading the students and staff as they tried to cope with the tragedy.

He singled out the children at the school for praise as he inspected the mass of floral tributes which have accumulated since the death.

He said: ''I am immensely proud to be headteacher at Corpus Christi.

''Our children have proven themselves to be great ambassadors for the school. And I want to pay particular tribute to them and to the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by our staff at this very difficult time.''

The head spent around 15 minutes reading some of the hundreds of messages along the line of tributes placed against the school's metal railings along with his deputy, Cath Bielby, and assistant heads, Kieran Sykes and Andy Kellett.

Mort said: ''I want to say on behalf of the pupils, the staff and the governors and of the school that we are overwhelmed by the amazing outpouring of love and affection for Ann from the local community, from friends of the school past and present and from colleagues across the city.

''Over the past 48 hours we have drawn an incredible amount of strength and comfort from all the amazing tributes and messages of sympathy and support that we have received from right across the country and, indeed, the world.

''I would personally like to express my gratitude to all of the people that are currently supporting us within the school - West Yorkshire Police, Leeds City Council, the diocesan family and, in particular, our partner primary schools and Catholic Care.''

Headteacher Steve Mort said there was 'an amazing outpouring of affection and love' for Ann Maguire

Scores of the children leaving the school this afternoon stopped to read hundreds of messages pinned to a mass of floral tributes outside the gates.

Mrs Maguire's death is thought to be the first time a teacher has been stabbed to death in a British classroom, and the first killing of a teacher in a school since the 1996 Dunblane massacre.

She went to Corpus Christi as a student teacher and, last year, the school held a celebration of her 40 years' service.

This year, she moved to working four days a week ahead of her planned retirement in five months.

Police have confirmed that Mrs Maguire died from multiple stab wounds.

Mrs Maguire, who was head of Year 11 at the school for more than 10 years, lived in the Moortown area of Leeds with her husband, Donald, who is believed to be a retired maths teacher.