by A mum and dad are furious after a teacher was let off with a warning for ‘stopping’ their non-verbal four-year-old who was severely autistic at primary school. Katie Waller and Daniel Turner were left horrified after their son returned home with five red marks, including a couple under each arm and one on his jaw.
They raised concerns with Eden Park Primary and Nursery School, in Brixham, Devon, following the incident on Friday, April 19. warning’ – and nothing else.
They informed the school immediately and at a meeting, a week later, they were informed that a teacher had ‘slopped on the back of the’. The school reported it was a ‘flat slap’ – but Charlie’s parents were given no explanation for the red marks he came home with.
READ MORE: The Mediterranean country a three-hour flight from Bristol is perfect for summer
READ MORE: Bristol named among UK’s best cities to visit according to science
Ofsted and the police have been informed of the incident.
Mr Turner, from Brixham, said: “I am not happy with what has been done – the teacher has not been punished, he has been warned? We know who the teacher is and we feel he should be arrested – but the Yes the school defending themselves and he is sick.”
Dan and Katie have now pulled Charlie out of school, and the young lad is currently waiting to receive an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) – meaning he will hopefully be able to attend School Mayfield, in Torquay.
Although the slap has not left a lasting mark, Dan says the event had an “emotional and mental impact” on his boy.
Dan said: “Charlie has Global Developmental Delay, so his mental age is 12 months.
“He’s non-verbal and doesn’t communicate, and when he was first diagnosed with autism he used to pinch and scratch but we found out about a year and a half ago.
“But this week he smacked me on the arm – he hasn’t done that in so long and I almost broke down in tears.”
The incident happened when Charlie was chatting with his assigned teacher face-to-face on April 19.
Dan explained: “Last Friday we were told that Charlie was in the sensory room the Friday before – because he had a one-to-one session.
“He must have been overstimulated and his one-on-one was teasing him.
“Then, suddenly another member of staff comes into the room, and Charlie swiped at him saying ‘move, you’re too close to me for comfort’. And that’s when the teacher hit him.”
Dan says he believes the police are calling the teacher in question at the station for a ‘voluntary interview’, but the parents want more ‘serious’ action to be taken.
And he said he was far from satisfied with the result.
He added: “If that was Dom Dick and Harry they would be arrested, but because they are a teacher they are doing a voluntary interview.
“People need to be aware of this – it’s completely wrong. They’ve just given a warning and it’s going on their record and are they going to attend a training course?
“What training course will change your mind to hit a child – it’s not going to correct a brain wave. They think a gentle slap is OK?
“What if it’s a harder slap next time?
“More frustrating are the unexplained marks? We emailed the school when we found out and they knew this happened all along.
“The school knew my boy was so unruly during the week – they should have told us there was an investigation but they kept it from us.
“I was expecting the school to call me describing what my boy was going through! But nothing.”
Dan says that Charlie is left devastated.
He said: “Charlie didn’t want to go to school, he wasn’t eating, he’s throwing up his medication – waking up in the middle of the night screaming and kicking.”
A letter sent to Katie by principal Benjamin Wallis, dated April 29, summarizes her one-on-one conversation with Charlie about the incident and the school’s subsequent actions.
The letter said: “She said in her own words that a member of staff had ‘hit Charlie on the back of the hand’. [The one-to-one] he told you that this was immediately reported to the principal who then reported it to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
“You have been informed that as part of this process, the events were reconfirmed with Charlie face to face and the staff member spoke to him.
“The staff member was informed that the school does not and will not accept this behavior and that it was in breach of our policies and working methods.
“It is important to note that the member of staff did not dispute the charge and was extremely remorseful.
“In line with LADO’s advice, the member of staff has been issued with a written warning which will go on their personal file and the school will provide additional training.”
Details were also provided of a meeting Katie and Daniel had at the school, including with the principal, last Friday, April 26.
The letter continued: “The LADO confirmed that all the correct steps had been taken by the school and that the incident did not meet the threshold to be considered a police or other matter. To clarify, it was a ‘gentle slap’ in the event behind the hand.
“In clarifying this, we are not saying this is acceptable, and yet we take it very seriously. However, it is to ensure that everyone is clear about the events of the incident.
“Although the incident did not leave any marks and Charlie did not show any disturbance at the time, it is still unacceptable and therefore appropriate action has already been taken.
“The school sincerely apologizes that this happened and I hope you know that this matter is serious and that we are following all necessary processes, being open and honest at every stage.”
In a statement Mr Wallis said: “We are aware of negative posts about an unfortunate incident at the school, which are being circulated on social media.”
“Eden Park Primary School takes the safety of all children and staff very seriously.
“The incident that happened is very unfortunate, very regrettable and has already been reported to the proper authorities at the school.
“So far, the authorities concerned have confirmed that the school has taken the necessary steps to manage the situation.
“Staff and the school will undertake any inquiries and take the appropriate steps recommended.”
