A MAN has been arrested in connection with an assault on a teenage girl at a York school.

North Yorkshire Police and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service were called to Joseph Rowntree School in Haxby Road yesterday afternoon.

Police described it as an "ongoing violent incident" however school head teacher Richard Crane said the pupil was shaken up but unharmed.

She was later seen by detectives and a police search for the intruder was launched.

Mr Crane said the school day finished at 3.10pm, senior staff were out on duty until 3.45pm, and the intruder went on to the grounds after 4pm.

He said: "There was an incident with a student who was in the school grounds and was leaving. The student was not seriously injured and is safe."

He said it appeared someone had run on to the school site and "got hold" of the girl. He said: "She told him to let her go and he has run off the site."

North Yorkshire Police said the girl "fought back and bit the man on his hand", before he walked off in the direction of Haxby Road.

Inspector Steve Breen said: "This was a frightening incident for the victim and we are providing specialist support to her." 

The girl gave a description of the man, and late on Friday a 27-year-old York man was arrested in connection with the incident. He will be questioned today by detectives.

Mr Crane said: "The staff in school took immediate action to safeguard students who were involved in rehearsals in our drama studios and other activities across the school. I am extremely hapy and pleased with the way staff responded so quickly to ensure other staff and pupils were safe."

Mr Crane said the Year 11 student was with her mother within 20 minutes of the incident, and had not been harmed.

A spokeswoman for the ambulance service said paramedics were called by the police at about 5.20pm, and one ambulance was sent to the scene. Police said the girl was attended to by the paramedic as a precaution.