A student has been killed in after being stabbed at a French secondary school.

Police say the attack took place today in the city of Nantes, in western France.

Three other students are being treated for their injuries.

The suspect, reported to be a 15-year-old student, was overpowered by teachers before officers arrived on scene, a police spokesperson said.

There is currently no indication of the motive of behind the attack being terror related.

Local media reported that the student entered the grounds of Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides armed with a knife at about midday local time and that according to BFM the victim was a female.

The outlet further said the attacker went to the second floor of the school where he stabbed the first student, before going back down to the school and stabbing at least three other teenagers.

Two of the injured students are said to be in critical condition.