A Paeroa College student is facing two charges of assault with a weapon along with one count each of possession of a firearm, unlawfully carrying an imitation firearm and presentation of an imitation firearm.

The 14-year-old boy is due to appear in the Hamilton Youth Court in relation to allegedly firing a BB gun at a classmate.

The boy is alleged to have entered Paeroa College around 10am on Monday carrying a plastic, spring loaded imitation pistol and wearing a bandana over his face.

Inspector Dana McDonald says police are currently interviewing witnesses but it appears the alleged offender has gone into a classroom and threatened a student in the class by pointing the weapon at him.

'The offender has then pointed the imitation firearm at the victim and shot him three times about the head and face.

'The male teacher in the classroom at the time went to intervene and the offender has turned and fired at him before subsequently firing the device another three or four times into the wall.”

Dana says the teacher then restrained the accused offender and disarmed him.

'The teacher has then kept the offender in the classroom until Police arrived and the teenager was taken into custody.

'The actions of the teacher were highly commendable in that he put himself in harms way to protect students in the class.”

Dana says in most situations like this, people are asked not to put themselves at risk and instead contact authorities by ringing 111.

'In this case it appears the appropriate course of action was taken.”