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Citizenship | Form Time | PSHE

Schoolboy killer given life in prison

Senseless violence: Mohammed Umar Khan, who can now be named, took a 13cm hunting knife to school in Sheffield and used it to kill 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose outside the cafeteria.

Were both children failed? The identity and history of Harvey Willgoose’s murderer has been revealed. Some think the attacker deserved more support, including the victim’s mother.

Comprehension quiz

  1. Explain the “red flags” that Harvey Willgoose’s mother, Caroline, believed were missed regarding Mohammed Umar Khan’s behaviour.

  2. Which word is the closest synonym for “vulnerable”?

    A: Resilient

    B: Exposed

    C: Dominant

    D: Independent

  3. According to the Youth Endowment Fund, what percentage of 13- to 17-year-olds had carried a weapon in the past 12 months?

    A: 55%

    B: 84%

    C: 4%

    D: 16%

  4. What reason did Mohammed Umar Khan give for posing with weapons online?

    A: He was training to become a professional fighter.

    B: He wanted to look intimidating because he was scared of being attacked.

    C: He was an active member of a weapons enthusiast club.

    D: He was preparing for a theatrical performance.

  5. What action did Mohammed Umar Khan’s mother take when she found an axe in his gym bag?

    A: She confiscated the axe and punished him.

    B: She immediately reported him to the school authorities.

    C: She reported him to the police, who warned him but took the matter no further.

    D: She helped him hide the axe so he wouldn’t get into trouble.

  6. The article discusses whether Mohammed Umar Khan was “failed by adults.” Reflect on this idea, considering the information presented. In your opinion, who bears the most responsibility for the tragic outcome – Khan, or the adults/systems that may have missed the warning signs?

Answers

Tap to reveal
1: There are several in the text, 2: B, 3: C, 4: B, 5: C, 6: Your views.
1: There are several in the text, 2: B, 3: C, 4: B, 5: C, 6: Your views.

Glossary

Catheter - A flexible tube inserted through a narrow opening into a body cavity, particularly the bladder, for removing fluid.

Intimidating - Causing someone to feel fearful or threatened.

vulnerable - at risk of being harmed

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