Barnes Wire

[Speakers2000]

My youngest, 7, while playing during break time at school, fell and cut his face (from ear to mouth) on barbed wire. He’s ok, but oh my, could have been so much worse! Are there any legal requirements for school fencing? Should they really be using barbed wire? There’s a field next door, is it the farmer’s responsibility?…

Where was the wire? Was he climbing a fence?

no climbing, was just running and fell against the fence that is on the boundary of the playing field.

That sounds appalling
Very odd that the school are happy to have their playing field bordered by barbed wire, though? He definitely didn't go into an off limits area?

Are you sure? Definitely barbed wire and not regular metal fencing, and it boarders the play areas where he was supposed to be? Sorry for doubting you, it just sounds so bad that I’m having a hard time believing a school could allow it.

Goodness, this sounds awful! The school has 100% responsibility for their grounds and making sure it is safe at all times. They should have the maintenance team/site manager regularly inspecting playground, field etc to check it is safe, literally on a daily/weekly basis. This has clearly not been done! I wonder if a similar accident has happened here before and of course could easily happen again. I would want to raise the concern with the school and ask to make sure their health and safety checks are up to date. Also the accident will have been recorded and should go to the next Governing body meeting so they are made aware. Something should be done about the fencing immediately, either blocking it off etc. so the children can't get close. It depends how much you want to pursue it, but what has happened is really bad and the school do appear to have neglected their duty of care in this instance (obviously only knowing the snapshot you have given.) I hope your DC gets better soon and heals well - bless them!

Thank you