Mother of murdered teen Harvey Willgoose hits out at ‘missed alternatives’ to save lots of him earlier than he was stabbed at college and says she nonetheless hears him say, ‘I really like you’

The mother of a schoolboy stabbed to death by a fellow pupil during their lunch break has said she is ‘devastated’ after a report allegedly revealed missed opportunities to save him.

Harvey Willgoose, 15, was attacked by Mohammed Umar Khan, also 15, during a nine-second confrontation on February 3 last year after the two former friends had argued on social media.

Khan, who had not been searched despite previous concerns he was in possession of weapons, was jailed for 16 years in October for the attack at All Saints Catholic High School, Sheffield, and a reporting restriction was lifted to allow him to be named despite his young age.

Last week, an independent report commissioned by St Clare Catholic Multi‑Academy Trust, which runs the school, identified ‘several missed opportunities’ to address behaviour and manage risk prior to Harvey’s fatal stabbing, including handling weapons-related concerns inconsistently.

Khan’s trial at Sheffield Crown Court heard he had previously carried a knife and brought a BB gun on a school trip and his mother had found an axe in his bag in December 2024 and told the school, which subsequently informed the police.

The report also found that Khan’s behaviour records were not requested when he moved to All Saints school just five months before the murder having left his previous school owing to bullying.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell, which is representing the Willgoose family, said this meant staff were unaware of historic incidents involving Khan relating to violence and weapons.

Speaking on the first anniversary of Harvey’s death today, his mother, Caroline Willgoose, 51, said ‘all the children in that school deserved better’.

Harvey Willgoose’s parents, Mark and Caroline Willgoose, at a press conference giving their response to the independent report

Harvey was 15 when he was stabbed to death by fellow pupil Mohammed Umar Khan at their school in Sheffield

‘Reading the findings of this report has been devastating,’ she said.

‘To see in black and white the chances there were to step in, the signs that were missed and how many opportunities there were to protect my boy is something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. Harvey deserved better.

‘I want to use my voice, and Harvey’s memory, to push for real change. This means proper safeguarding, proper training, proper record‑keeping, and most of all proper understanding among young people about the dangers of knives.

‘Children need to be taught that carrying a knife doesn’t protect them. It destroys lives, including their own.’

She added: ‘Harvey was the light of our lives. Anyone who knew him will tell you he was a fun‑loving, cheeky, sociable kid who filled every room with energy.

‘He had big dreams, he was always laughing, always bringing people together. Losing him has torn a hole in our family that will never be repaired.

‘Every day since Harvey was taken from us has been agony. I still hear his voice saying ‘I love you’ before he left for school that morning — the last words he ever said to me.

‘No parent should outlive their child, and certainly not because of something as senseless and avoidable as a knife being brought into school.’

Harvey’s father, Mark, said: ‘Had [the school] done what they should have been doing, Harvey would still be here today.’

St Clare has not released the report in full due to ‘privacy concerns’ but it has been seen by Harvey’s family.

The trust has released 10 recommendations including clarifying who has responsibility for pupil safeguarding and routine and regular monitoring of weapons-related incidents.

Khan posted photographs of himself online holding weapons but told his trial this was because he wanted to project a fearsome image

 Staff will also be trained to carry out searches of pupils.

The report also recommended that, at a regional and national level, safeguarding and behaviour records should be shared between schools when any pupil is the subject of a ‘managed move’ – such as Khan.

Khan’s trial heard how he had been targeted by pupils at his previous school and his family home was visited by social services over claims he was beaten by his father and his siblings were not being fed properly.

Yogi Amin, the head of public law and human rights at Irwin Mitchell, said: ‘This thorough and forensic investigation identifies numerous occasions where action should have been taken and wasn’t.

‘The catalogue of errors makes for deeply troubling reading and just adds to the hurt and pain Harvey’s family have had to endure following his totally unnecessary death.’

Steve Davies, chief executive of St Clare Catholic Multi Academy Trust said the report, undertaken by Learn Sheffield, was commissioned ‘to bring as much transparency as possible to the situation.’

‘It is clear that the report identifies areas for improvement, including in relation to our processes, information-sharing, and training,’ he said.

‘We have already implemented a number of robust measures over the last year and will continue to take action in line with the report’s recommendations and external advice from the statutory safeguarding agencies.

‘The issues this report raises will also resonate more widely across the education sector.

‘Above all else, on Harvey’s anniversary we remember his fun-loving and kind personality and extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.’