VIGILANCE and agencies working together are the only way to tackle the growing knife culture in schools, says the head of a Bournemouth school that successfully dealt with two blade-related assaults during the past few months.

Ingrid Masters, head teacher at Winton Boys', says that their experience has taught her staff and pupils that firm action must always be taken straight away.

Her comments follow those yesterday of Margaret Morrissey, Dorset-based spokeswoman for the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations, who called for the introduction of government-funded airport-style metal detector machines and security staff at secondary school gates.

At Winton Boy's in the space of 11 days, the school suffered two knife incidents between pupils involving a craft and then a penknife.

In the first incident a boy received a minor cut to the leg, and in the second a pupil needed hospital treatment for a minor cut to his arm.

Police were involved in both and the attackers were suspended pending full investigations by the school.

Ms Masters said: "Our own experience has taught us the importance of being extremely vigilant and when an incident does occur, taking firm action.

"This means we have imposed a ban of any kind of knife or weapon in order to maintain safety as well as reassure students and parents who are rightfully worried and concerned.

"The school has to be a place where young people feel safe and are safe.

"We have a duty to reassure as well as educate our students on right methods of conflict resolution.

"Student safety is always at the top of our priorities.

"Constant vigilance is what we expect for peace of mind."

She says parents, school, police, social services and other supporting agencies must work together on this.

"A few years ago a parent would buy a Swiss army knife or small multi-tool for their son as a Christmas or birthday present," she added.

"This could be carried into school quite innocently as a back-up for things like bike repairs.

"Recent events in our own school and nationally have changed that context."