Yahoo News Devon teacher punished after 'slapping' boy, 4, at primary school
The mum and partner of a four-year-old severely autistic Devon boy are appalled after he was 'slapped' by a teacher who was later issued with a written warning by his school.
Concerns were raised with Eden Park Primary and Nursery School in Brixham by Katie Waller and Daniel Turner after schoolboy Charlie Waller returned home with five red marks, including a couple underneath each arm and one on his jawline, on April 19. They immediately reported it to the school and at a meeting at the school a week later they were told he had been 'slapped on the back of the hand' by a teacher.
It was added that as it had been a 'gentle slap' that was said to have left no mark, it did not meet the threshold of being a police or other matter. No explanation is said to have been provided for the red marks that Charlie came home with on April 19.
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As well as being autistic, Charlie is non-verbal and has global development delay with a developmental age of around 12 months old. He requires one-to-one support at school and it was that person who reported to senior staff they had witnessed Charlie being slapped.
The school has confirmed it has investigated the incident and has 'sincerely apologised' for what happened. It assured it has followed the correct procedures and the punishment the teacher received was the 'appropriate action' within those guidelines.
However, Katie and Daniel, of Brixham, strongly disagree and say they have removed Charlie from the school to ensure his safety. They added that although the slap did not leave any marks, it has had a profound impact on Charlie emotionally, and they remain concerned about the unexplained marks he came home with.
Daniel said: "Last Friday we were told he had been put in the sensory room the previous Friday, April 19, to calm down and had been slapped by a teacher. His one-to-one told the school a teacher had walked in and Charlie had swiped him with his hand to move him out of the way as he can't verbalise. An instant after the swipe the smack came in a malicious way. How can someone do that to a child, let alone a child who can't verbalise and has severe difficulties?"
Daniel added: "The marks he came home with happened on the same day he got smacked. They are unaccounted for and if the school is not watching him when he has funding for a one-to-one then that's negligence. The marks were not consistent with his usual scratch marks; they looked more like pinch or pull marks.
"Last week after we reported our concerns, Charlie was very dysregulated at school. He was turning over tables and kicking off and staff said they did not understand why. He normally loves school.
"We pulled him out of there as soon as we found out what had happened. What makes it more heart-breaking is as soon as it happened we should have been informed but the school said it couldn't until the investigation was complete."
Charlie is currently awaiting to receive an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which will mean he can hopefully attend Mayfield School, a large special school in Torquay.
Daniel said: "Whether the smack was gentle or hard does not come into context; a smack is a smack. It didn't cause any marks but emotionally, one hundred per cent, we have seen Charlie's personality change."
He added: "When Charlie was first diagnosed with autism he used to pinch and scratch but we got him out of that. This week he smacked me on the hand and I just thought, 'ummm, that's a new one'."
In a letter sent by headteacher Benjamin Wallis to Katie, dated April 29, it states a summary of a conversation she had with Charlie's one-to-one about the incident and the actions taken by the school.
The letter said: "She shared in her own words that a member of staff had 'slapped Charlie on the back of the hand'. [The one-to-one] informed you this was reported immediately to the headteacher who then reported it to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
"You were informed that as part of this process, the events were reclarified with Charlie's one-to-one and the staff member was spoken to. The staff member was made clear that the school does not accept nor condone this behaviour and it was in breach of our policies and way of working.
"It is important to note that the staff member did not dispute the accusation and was incredibly remorseful. In line with LADO advice, the staff member was issued a written warning which would go on their personal file and the school will provide further training."
Details were also provided of a meeting Katie and Daniel had at the school, including with the headteacher, last Friday, April 26.
The letter continued: "The LADO confirmed that the school had taken all of the correct steps and the incident did not meet the threshold to be considered a police or other matter. To clarify, the event was a 'gentle slap' on the back of the hand.
"In clarifying this, we are not stating we find this acceptable, and still take this very seriously. However, it is to ensure all are clear as to the events of the incident.
"Even though the incident did not leave a mark and Charlie showed no upset at the time, it is still unacceptable and therefore appropriate action has already been taken.
"The school shares its sincere apologies that this happened and hopes you know we take this matter seriously and have followed all processes required, being open and honest at all stages."
In a statement made to DevonLive, Mr Wallis said: "We are aware of negative posts about an unfortunate event at the school, circulating on social media today [May 1]. Eden Park Primary takes the safety of all children and staff very seriously.
"The event that occurred is very unfortunate, regretful and has already been reported to the correct authorities by the school. To date, the authorities involved have confirmed that the school has taken the necessary steps to manage the matter. The staff and school will engage in any investigation and take appropriate steps recommended.
The most recent Ofsted report (July 2023), praised all aspects of the school, including the provision for disadvantaged children and how children are kept safe: ‘The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Safeguarding leads are skilled and highly visible.
"They are well known by staff, pupils and families. Systems and processes are clear and widely understood. Staff record their concerns consistently and accurately.
"Leaders have strong relationships with other agencies. Safer recruitment processes are well established. Appropriate checks are made on the suitability of staff.
"Checks are recorded carefully on a single central record. Staff are aware of the contextual challenges of working in this coastal community. They access appropriate training.
"Leaders ensure there is strong capacity to support families in need of support, including through the effective pastoral team. Staff work hard to support pupils and their families. Consequently, pupils are safe.
"Eden Park is a listening school and will always take the necessary steps to ensure children are kept safe."
