A teenager who was excluded from a north-east school for threatening to stab one of his teachers could be back in the classroom within weeks.
The 13-year-old was barred from Mackie Academy after being caught with a knife and later charged by police for acting in a threatening and abusive manner.
But it understood talks are now being held aimed at paving the way for the youngster to return to lessons at the Stonehaven secondary.
The youth threatened a member of staff at the school just weeks before the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Bailey Gwynne at Cults Academy in Aberdeen.
Another 16-year-old was later charged with his murder.
It is believed the Mackie Academy teenager – who cannot be named for legal reasons – visited the school this week for discussions with staff.
It is understood he could be back at the secondary by January.
A source said last night: “He is coming back after Christmas. He is coming back in for a phased return. In general, the staff aren’t happy.
“The staff have been told it is confidential. I know other agencies were involved, such as social work. I think he has had private tuition since it happened.
“The teacher he threatened is still there. Although he is entitled to education, it is important that the parents know.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman could not confirm whether he would return to Mackie Academy next year, but added: “We continue to be in discussions with all related parties regarding this matter.”
He said the council had a responsibility to deliver education in some form.
The incident happened at the end of August.
Larry Flanagan, the general secretary of teaching union the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), said the council also had a “duty of care” to its teachers.
He added: “While the majority of incidents of indiscipline that occur in our schools are low-level in nature there are occasions when more serious incidents involving, violence, threat of violence or intimidation can occur.
“Although these incidents are rare the EIS is very clear that a zero-tolerance approach should be taken to such events, including police involvement where violence has been used or threatened.”
He added: “Pupils can display disruptive and aggressive behaviour for a wide range of reasons and it is important we take steps to understand the variable causes of that behaviour.
“Local authorities have a duty of care to all their employees and it is important they take the necessary steps to ensure that our schools are as safe as possible.”
A spokeswoman for the Children’s Reporter said: “We cannot comment on individual cases or provide details of individual children or young people referred to the reporter.
“In addition, we cannot comment on reporter and hearing decisions, or on evidence submitted to reporters, hearings or court.”
A police spokeswoman said they were unable to comment on the incident, other than to confirm: “A 13-year-old boy was charged and reported to the youth justice management unit in relation to an incident at Mackie Academy on August 27.”
Bailey Gwynne was stabbed to death in a corridor at Cults Academy on October 28.
His death shocked the whole of Scotland and just days ago Aberdeen City Council revealed it was reviewing its decision its decision not to take part in a nationwide anti-knife crime campaign.
The local authority decided not to participate in the Scottish Government’s No Knives, Better Lives campaign in 2009, due to the low number of incidents across the north-east.