A teenager accused of murdering teacher Ann Maguire in her classroom has "accepted responsibility for the unlawful killing", a court has heard.
The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared via video-link at Leeds Crown Court accused of stabbing the 61-year-old teacher to death at Corpus Christi Catholic College, in Leeds, in April.
No pleas were entered but Richard Wright QC, defending, said: "He has accepted responsibility for the unlawful killing of the deceased".
Ann Maguire was stabbed to death in front of her pupils
A trial on the murder charge is scheduled for November. The teenager appeared on two video screens in the packed courtroom.
He was wearing an orange T-shirt with blue trousers and spoke twice - to confirm his name as the 10 minute long hearing began, and to acknowledge he understood what was happening, when the judge asked him at the end.
Members of Mrs Maguire's family watched the proceedings from the public gallery.
Wright, Paul Greaney QC, prosecuting, and the judge, Judge Peter Collier QC, all sat in court without their normal robes.
The court heard that expert psychiatric reports would now be prepared before the trial.
Wright said: "The defendant accepts that he unlawfully killed Ann Maguire. The issue in the case will be whether or not a partial defence is available to him."
Greaney said: "It does not amount to an admission he is guilty of murder. It does amount to an admission he's guilty of manslaughter."
Both the judge and Greaney asked the public to be extremely careful about using social media to discuss this case and stressed there could be heavy penalties for naming the defendant or other details about the case ahead of the trial.
Maguire's death was 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 first went to Corpus Christi as a student teacher and last year the school held a celebration of her 40 years of service.
This year, she had moved to working four days a week ahead of her planned retirement.
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, Don, who is a former maths teacher and landscape gardener.
The teenager was told he will appear again for a hearing on September 26. He was remanded in custody.
Teacher stabbed in Leeds
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-CRIME-DEATH(01 of49)
Tributes are pictured outside Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, northern England on April 29, 2014, following the fatal stabbing of Spanish teacher Anne Maguire by a pupil Monday. Police arrested a 15-year-old male pupil after a female teacher was stabbed to death at a Catholic school in Britain on Monday. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-CRIME-DEATH(02 of49)
Tributes are pictured outside Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, northern England on April 29, 2014, following the fatal stabbing of Spanish teacher Anne Maguire by a pupil Monday. Police arrested a 15-year-old male pupil after a female teacher was stabbed to death at a Catholic school in Britain on Monday. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-CRIME-DEATH(03 of49)
Floral tributes and a picture of murdered Spanish teacher Anne Maguire (Seated Top L) are left outside Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, northern England, on April 29, 2014. British police arrested a 15-year-old male pupil after a female teacher was stabbed to death at a Catholic school Monday in a rare attack on educational staff. Anne Maguire, a 61-year-old Spanish teacher, suffered multiple stab wounds in the incident which was witnessed by other children at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, northern England. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(04 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Members of the local community light candles as they attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(05 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Members of the local community light candles as they attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(06 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Members of the local embrace as the local community attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(07 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Members of the local community attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(08 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Monsignor Paul Fisher conducts mass for members of the local community attending Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(09 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Monsignor Paul Fisher conducts mass for members of the local community attending Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(10 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Members of the local community attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(11 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: People hold a copy of the Corpus Christi School Prayer as they attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(12 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Members of the local community sign a book of condolence as they attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(13 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Monsignor Paul Fisher conducts mass for members of the local community attending Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(14 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Monsignor Paul Fisher conducts mass for members of the local community attending Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(15 of49)
Messages and floral tributes including a photograph of Anne Maguire outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(16 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(17 of49)
An exterior of Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(18 of49)
An exterior of Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(19 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(20 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(21 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(22 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(23 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(24 of49)
A woman arrives to lay flowers outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(25 of49)
People comfort each other outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(26 of49)
RETRANSMITTED CORRECTING BYLINE. Two nuns comfort a member of the public outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(27 of49)
Messages and floral tributes outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(28 of49)
People lay floral tributes outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(29 of49)
Floral tributes left outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(30 of49)
A woman grieves outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(31 of49)
Messages and floral tributes outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(32 of49)
Two nuns comfort a member of the public outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(33 of49)
People look at the floral tributes outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(34 of49)
People look at the floral tributes outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(35 of49)
A nun lights a candle at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Leeds next to the college where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(36 of49)
A nun comforts people outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(37 of49)
Flowers are left at Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(38 of49)
Flowers are left at Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(39 of49)
Nichola Davies, 34, a former pupil who drove from Goole to lay flowers at Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(40 of49)
Flowers are left at Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(41 of49)
Nun's from Corpus Christi Catholic Church which is next Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(42 of49)
A man lays flowers outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(43 of49)
A woman lays flowers outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(44 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(45 of49)
A boy with his head against railings outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(46 of49)
Flowers are left at Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(47 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(48 of49)
The badge of Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(49 of49)
Police outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)