Industry news
Staff suspended after pupil's death
Posted Thu, 25 Mar 2010
A school which "significantly contributed" to the death of an 11-year-old pupil following an asthma attack has suspended five members of staff.
An inquest jury ruled that Offerton High School in Stockport contributed to the death of Sam Linton through neglect when he had an asthma attack.
Sam was sent to sit in a school corridor struggling to breathe, during this time no-one called an ambulance and by the time his mother arrived the boy's lips were turning blue.
Following this he died in hospital a few hours later on 4 December 2007.
Stockport Council said five staff have been suspended from the school.
A spokesman said the suspensions are while an internal inquiry is carried out. He refused to name the staff.
The three-week inquest at Stockport Coroner's Court heard how valuable time was lost as Sam was made to sit in the corridor.
The jury ruled last week Sam's death was by natural causes but significantly contributed to by neglect on an "individual and systemic level".
Stockport Council said: " The council is currently working with colleagues in Stockport Primary Care Trust to review the current policy on managing medical conditions and the updated version will be with schools at the start of the summer term."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
Stockport Council