**Teacher’s Husband Criticises Welsh Government’s Response After School Stabbing Incident**
In the wake of a harrowing stabbing at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, the husband of one victim has voiced sharp criticism towards the Welsh Government, accusing it of failing to urgently address the dangers faced by school staff. The attack, which took place on 24 April 2024, left two teachers and a pupil injured and has reignited a national debate about violence and safety measures in Welsh schools.
John Hopkin, a teacher at the same school and husband of victim Liz Hopkin, has been forthright in his condemnation, stating that officials are merely “kicking the can down the road” instead of implementing meaningful reforms. Mr Hopkin’s remarks come after a 13-year-old pupil was sentenced to 15 years for attempted murder following the stabbing spree, which shocked the local community and the broader educational sector.
Recalling that traumatic day, Mr Hopkin described to the BBC how he was told to rush past crowds of students to reach the scene, only to discover his wife injured and “sat on the stone steps, in a pool of blood.” He continued: “There was a lot of blood coming out and dripping down the stairs. I went up to her, and she turned around to me, and she said, ‘I’m really sorry’. I know that she thought she was dying.” This chilling account underscores the gravity of the situation and the profound impact such violence has had on those directly involved.
Following the incident, Ysgol Dyffryn Aman was immediately put into lockdown, and Mrs Hopkin was airlifted to hospital. While she is said to have recovered physically, Mr Hopkin noted the considerable psychological toll the assault has taken. “She’s struggling with her mental health. She’s more concerned about the safety of others in schools. She’s worried that people aren’t listening, and lessons may not have been learned,” he explained.
This attack has prompted a wider review of safety policies. Carmarthenshire Council announced that a multi-agency evaluation is now underway, aiming to identify gaps and improve current security and behavioural protocols in schools. In tandem, the Welsh Government has pledged to review the outcomes of a recent roundtable on violence in schools at an upcoming behaviour summit. However, education unions remain dissatisfied, describing their efforts to raise awareness as “a year-long battle” met with limited government action.
Details emerging from the subsequent court case have painted a disturbing picture of the events leading up to the attack. The 13-year-old girl, whose identity is legally protected, reportedly carried a knife to school every day and had previously transferred from another institution. During the incident, she first approached Fiona Elias, the deputy head, in the playground and stabbed her after making a violent threat. Mrs Hopkin intervened in an attempt to restrain the pupil but was then attacked herself, suffering multiple wounds to her neck, back, legs and arms.
Members of staff made efforts to de-escalate the situation, but the assailant managed to flee and injure a student with the same bladed multi-tool before she was ultimately subdued and disarmed by staff.
The incident has not only traumatised those directly affected but also contributed to anxiety and uncertainty among school communities across Wales. There is growing concern that, unless significant measures are taken, the serious risk of violence faced by teachers and pupils may continue to be downplayed.
As the review process unfolds, many connected to Ysgol Dyffryn Aman and the broader teaching profession will be watching closely, hoping that the government’s forthcoming behaviour summit will finally produce decisive action. In the meantime, campaigners and loved ones like Mr Hopkin remain vocal, urging swift and tangible steps to prevent such tragedies from becoming alarmingly routine.