A shocking comparison has been made between a special needs school and a notorious prison, raising serious alarms about the safety of its staff.
A former employee's chilling account has revealed a disturbing reality.
The Duke of Lancaster SEN school in Fakenham has been described as a place where staff are afraid to show up for work due to daily injuries and violent incidents. This comes after a recent attack left a staff member partially paralyzed, prompting a review of the school's practices.
The Eastern Education Group, which oversees the school, acknowledges past "safety and security issues" but claims to have implemented measures for improvement. However, a whistleblower paints a contrasting picture, stating that staff are scared and traumatized by the ongoing violence.
"It's like a horror movie come to life," the ex-employee said. "Young teaching assistants are regularly assaulted, leaving them with broken bones and severe injuries."
Among the most concerning allegations is an incident where a seven-year-old student kicked a staff member in the genitals, causing internal bleeding. The whistleblower questions the school's response, allowing the same child to return to school with football boots the next day.
"It's like giving a firebug a box of matches," they said. "The lack of consequences for such dangerous behavior is alarming."
There are also reports of students jumping school gates and leaving the premises without any notification to the police. In another instance, a learner allegedly attempted to access knives by jumping over a kitchen counter.
The whistleblower believes that the school's approach to discipline is ineffective, putting staff at risk.
"These kids face no real consequences for their actions. It's not just bites and slaps; it's broken bones and serious injuries. Staff are risking their lives, yet they feel trapped, fearing they'll lose their jobs if they speak up."
The Eastern Education Group defends its practices, stating that students in special educational needs settings may exhibit challenging behaviors, which require reasonable adjustments. They emphasize that these behaviors are not harmful and are a result of diagnosed needs.
"Specialist settings require a deep understanding of these unique challenges," a spokesperson said.
The group claims to have increased staffing and provided extensive training to staff on behavior management and de-escalation techniques. They state that incidents have significantly decreased since these measures were implemented.
However, the whistleblower remains unconvinced, describing the health and safety issues as just the beginning of a much larger problem.
"It's like putting a lamb in charge of a prison. The trust's approach is inadequate, and staff are not properly equipped to handle these situations."
The Eastern Education Group declined to comment on issues prior to their acquisition of the school, stating that all students now face disciplinary action for unsafe behavior. They emphasize that staff work collaboratively with students and parents to support individual needs and ensure a safe learning environment.
"The current environment is vastly improved, with staff, students, and parents reporting a positive and supportive atmosphere. We continue to make strides towards excellence," they said.
But here's where it gets controversial... Do you think the school is doing enough to protect its staff? Is the whistleblower's account an isolated incident, or a sign of deeper systemic issues? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
