The headteacher of a secondary school could be hauled before a judge if she refuses to give details of key witnesses to a stabbing close to the school gates.

Shene School headteacher Lesley Kirby has been ordered to give details of three people who were in the area at the time of the attack on one of her pupils - or she faces going to court to explain why she will not help.

Judge John Crocker issued a witness summons to Lesley Kirby, headteacher at the Park Road school, at Kingston Crown Court on Monday. The trial of the teenager accused of stabbing the pupil, who was found with knife wounds to the chest on May 7, was put on hold last week.

Wayne Cranston-Morris, prosecuting, told the court the school carried out its own investigation into the attack, which happened after school, and it had been submitted as evidence.

The court heard the school’s investigation had taken statements from three people of interest to both legal teams - one a pupil named only as “L” and two staff.

“The headteacher refuses to give the name of the school child involved,” added Mr Cranston-Morris.

“The defence have made an approach, the police have made an approach as well but the teacher’s approach is that she has been told not to give the names.

“The three were contacted in the school investigation and all say they saw something but the school refuses to disclose details.”

Bartholemew Casella, defending the teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “We invite the court to make a witness summons to Lesley Kirby to provide details of those witnesses.

“She said she sees the relevance but her position does not allow her to provide those details voluntarily.

“We say the summons is appropriate because it is material evidence.”

Judge Crocker said: “I will grant the witness summons but it is not to be served for two weeks.

“The prosecution, in the meantime, should approach the headmistress again and explain that a witness summons has been granted in principle.

“Once it is served if she wants to attend and explain why she won’t comply with the request she can do so.

“These are important witnesses.”

Ms Kirby, speaking after the hearing, said: “The school has been in liaison with the police about this matter and the council’s legal department who are currently discussing the situation with other legal teams involved in the case.

“As this situation involves children, data protection and confidentiality are paramount.

"The school will cooperate with any court orders.”

The witness summons hearing will take place on December 4 and the trial is due to begin on February 15.