CLASSMATES and teachers have been to visit a 15-year-old student who suffered a serious stab wound in an incident at a high school.Ben Goddard, who lives in Redlingfield, near Eye, was still in the intensive care unit at Ipswich Hospital yesterday, but his condition was said be slightly improved.

CLASSMATES and teachers have been to visit a 15-year-old student who suffered a serious stab wound in an incident at a high school.

Ben Goddard, who lives in Redlingfield, near Eye, was still in the intensive care unit at Ipswich Hospital yesterday, but his condition was said be slightly improved.

He has been able to talk to visitors, including members of his family who have been maintaining a bedside vigil.

Ben, a talented footballer who is a Norwich City academy player, was injured in an incident involving another student near the toilet block at Stradbroke High School.

School went ahead as usual yesterday, although several children took advantage of counselling sessions provided by the education authority.

Headteacher Dave Shorten said, in a statement issued by Suffolk County Council, that everyone had been encouraged by the news Ben's condition had improved a little.

"We began our day with an assembly at which we reflected on how well everyone has pulled together and on the support the school has had from the local community," he added.

"Lessons have carried on as normal and throughout the day pupils and staff have talked in groups and individually about the events of Friday.

"The school is slowly coming to terms with what has happened and we are trying to return to normal, but our main focus is on Ben's safe and speedy recovery."

n A 15-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with stabbing Ben Goddard at Stradbroke High School.

The youth, who cannot be named, appeared at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He was granted bail to reappear in court on May 21.