Teen injured by classmate in lesson

[ImStillMe]

If a classmate seriously injured a fellow student during a lesson , whilst the teacher went to get a resource, what process should the school follow after the incident?

The teacher left the room. Something happened to a student. The teacher needs to explain this. Students are not left alone at other times. Staff are on duty (this is statutory) and students know where they are as staff are visible. It is a basic that all new staff are aware of and reminded of. You never leave a class alone.

Would a teacher being there have changed anything? If it was something stupid/impetuous would the teacher have been able to prevent it?

I’m a long term teacher too, of course we can leave the room

Students are alone at other times. They walk down corridors, they go up and down stairwells, they line up outside classrooms, they get changed after PE, they use break-out spaces during lessons. Of course there are teachers on duty in the vicinity but there is not a network of staff with 'eyes on' every square metre of a secondary school at all times. I would have concerns about the behaviour and safety of a school that felt their building was so unsafe as to require this level of vigilance.

In my experience, staff can and do leave rooms very briefly in some instances, if they deem the class mature enough. With most of my classes, I would not be too concerned by walking the 5 metres to the store cupboard for some exercise books if I had run out.

@ImStillMe

Trying not to be outing, but is it acceptable for the teacher to be absent to get something?

How does pushing for the teacher to lose their entire career (which is what you are getting at) for the accidental act of somebody else - as you cannot prove otherwise - help anybody?

Leaving the room might be something teachers deem as ok but you cannot do this (unless the circumstances are exceptional). The teacher left the room and a student was hurt. The teacher has a responsibility to explain this situation.

I am interested to see the statutory guidance on this so that I can alert our DSL.

Unless there is a massive drip feed about to happen about a history of bullying and your child is adamant that the injury was malicious, I would say take a deep breath and concentrate on your child. Secondary aged children are equipped with the bodies of adults and the common sense of a snail, accidents do happen as a result.

Of course they can leave them for a short amount of time.

Teachers can leave a class unless there is dangerous equipment out eg science lab or tech.

This needs more context to comment further.

I'm sure the teacher/school will be asked to explain , but that doesn't mean anyone will be sacked or that OP has the right to confidential employment information, should disciplinary action be deemed necessary - which it almost certainly won't

I think it must depend on the school. Ds frequently tells me of things that happened when the teacher wasn't in. I've worked in at least 2 schools where leaving a class (unless 6th form) has been cited as a safeguarding issue. You're covering yourself really.

@ImStillMe

Perpetrator will say it's an accident although the act which caused the serious injury certainly wasn't a sensible action.

Suggests it was something stupid, but still not meant maliciously.

Teenagers, like adults, are all capable of doing dumb things with unintended consequences. If Teen A didn't intend to hurt Teen B, I'd mostly just expect an apology from Teen A.

If a severely stupid thing rather than a mildly thoughtless action, maybe some kind of disciplinary action for Teen A like a detention.

If Teen A caused the injury using school equipment that could have been secured away, maybe a change of policy from the school on securing things.

You don't state what the injury is, but whatever happened, I'm sorry a child has been hurt.

A student was hurt (and I hope they are ok now) whilst a teacher had left the room they were meant to be in, with their students. A serious injury or accident, in these circumstances, would leave a teacher in a very difficult situation. I am not being arsey but am genuinely surprised by how many teachers are saying "of course it is ok to leave a classroom". Moving between classrooms to teach is really stressful and one reason why a class may be alone and it's horrible for staff. Nipping out because you forgot something? Not ok.

Nipping out because you forgot a worksheet is absolutely OK where I am. How would you carry on the lesson without the work? Don't say send a kid because they don't know what they're looking for and sending a kid to a department office with no staff in is a safeguarding nightmare.

stupid actions can happen quickly even if teacher is in the room - aka helping other student turning to the board etc
never underestimate how quickly an adolescent can either behaviour maliciously (taking advantage of teacher's momentary distraction) or do something daft to show off or just not listen to teachers advice of waiting before they progress

How serious? It probably needs reporting to Riddor

Hercisback - how about you don't forget what you need? Have it with you. I would never send a student to collect work. It isn't their job.

Yes, incidents happen in lessons when staff are present. That is entirely different to a member of staff not being present. I have two children in secondary school. My response, as a parent, to an incident in a lesson would be very different depending on a staff member being present or absent (when they should have been there).

Another teacher here - we would not leave a classroom with unsupervised students (except 6th form who can study unsupervised).
The difference between unsupervised in a classroom and unsupervised outside is that outside they can move themselves away from dangerous/bullying behaviour - they can’t do that in the classroom.

It's not ideal to leave the room but sometimes there's no choice. When the wifi is playing silly buggers, I can't do the register. So I have to go to the office to call to say Bob is missing because Bob is on the VP list.

Hercisback - how about you don't forget what you need?

Obviously teachers are superhuman and therefore never forget anything. We are human and make errors. Genuine question, if you forgot something, what would you do? Because nipping out of the class for 30 seconds is better than 30 mins of no work!

I left when I was pregnant to be sick. Again what's the solution there?

I leave now if I need a wee or sanitary change (3 hour stretches and longer in some cases).

In an ideal world of course you'd be in there all the time but we all know that isn't reality.

Supply teacher across the way hasn't got the work because they can't login. Nip over and log them in and set the class off.

Cover hasn't turned up for another class who are out in the corridor. Go and talk to them, find out which class and send an email to get it sorted.

Y11 fighting in the corridor during their break time while my lesson is going on. Walk into the corridor and leave my lesson to break up the fight.

All scenarios that leaving the classroom was the right thing to do.

@DetailMouse

How serious? It probably needs reporting to Riddor

I think the OP would have said if her child had lost a finger, had a penetrating injury to the eye or been infected with a biological agent.

RIDDOR reporting applies for;

Fractures (other than to fingers, thumbs or toes)
Any amputation
Dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine
Loss of sight (temporary or permanent)
A chemical or hot metal burn to the eye
Any penetrating injury to the eye
Any injury resulting from an electric shock or electrical burn (including any electrical burn caused by arcing or arcing products) leading to unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours

Any other injury leading to:

• Hypothermia, heat-inducted illness or unconsciousness
• Resuscitation or requiring admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours

Loss of consciousness caused by asphyxia or by exposure to a harmful substance or biological agent

Either of the following conditions which result from the absorption of any substance by inhalation, ingestion or through the skin:

• Acute illness requiring medical treatment; or
• Loss of consciousness

Acute illness which requires medical treatment where there is reason to believe that this resulted from exposure to biological agent or its toxins or infected material

@Bessica1970

Another teacher here - we would not leave a classroom with unsupervised students (except 6th form who can study unsupervised). The difference between unsupervised in a classroom and unsupervised outside is that outside they can move themselves away from dangerous/bullying behaviour - they can’t do that in the classroom.

The toilets are unsupervised. As a teacher, you should be able to nip out quickly for a resource. I think you're focusing on the wrong bit.

If you're thinking of a personal injury claim for one pupil injuring another, I remember this one www.lawteacher.net/cases/mullin-v-richards-1998.php