Harvey Willgoose’s parents are channeling their grief into a campaign to raise awareness about knife crime in schools. Earlier this year, 15-year-old Harvey lost his life at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield during the lunch break. A fellow student, also 15, was found guilty after a trial at Sheffield Crown Court. CCTV showed the two interacting earlier in the day, with Harvey staying calm while the other student was later seen carrying a knife in the canteen.
The jury heard that the boy admitted to causing Harvey’s death but denied murder, claiming it was the result of years of bullying and fear. Prosecutors argued that he had developed an unhealthy fixation with weapons, supported by photos on his phone, and that the act was deliberate. After over 14 hours of deliberation, the jury reached a majority verdict of 11 to one. Sentencing will take place in October, when the court will also decide if the boy’s identity can be revealed.
Following the verdict, Harvey’s sister Sophie described him as warm, funny, and able to bring people together. She thanked those who comforted him in his final moments and vowed to work on prevention efforts. Harvey’s mother, Caroline, shared how her son had gone to school that morning on his own initiative, proudly telling her, “Mum, are you proud of me?” She is now advocating for increased safety measures in schools, such as knife arches, and more open conversations with young people about the consequences of carrying weapons.
The family is also creating “Harvey’s Hub,” a youth club to provide a safe and social space for teens. Caroline hopes it will help young people rebuild social confidence after the pandemic and connect in positive ways. She believes Harvey’s legacy should be about unity, not conflict. Harvey’s father, Mark, said their goal is to prevent other families from suffering the same loss, ensuring Harvey’s story inspires lasting change.
