The year 11 student was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Brighton where he was treated for fractures to his face.

Trouble flared when the Downlands Community School pupil was confronted by a group of older youths in an after-school ambush on Monday, November 17.

Deputy head teacher Rob Davies, two other teachers and a bus driver also went to the aid of the pupil during the fracas just after 3pm.

Head teacher Walter Clarke stepped in wielding an umbrella to try to protect the victim during the attack witnessed by a crowd of horrified pupils.

Mr Clarke, who was on duty after school at the foot of the school driveway, has praised the response of colleagues and pupils in a letter to parents.

In the letter due to be sent home with pupils yesterday (November 19), he said: "We quickly identified that a group of youths from out of the area were present at the bottom of our drive and were behaving in a menacing fashion.

"School reception was alerted and the police were summoned."

The 15-year-old boy is said to be recuperating well at home after being treated in hospital and is expected to return to be able to return to school in the near future.

Police have supplied extra patrol officers at the school in the wake of the incident to provide additional reassurance.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845 60 70 999.

Four males from the Crawley area were arrested for offences including affray, GBH and assault. They have all been bailed pending further enquiries.

Read the full story in the Mid Sussex Times