Boy walks home with broken arm as school fails to contact parents

THE parents of a boy who broke his arm at school are furious teachers failed to contact them.

Andy Ridge, aged 11, fell in the playground during lunch break at St Edward's Junior High School, in Westwood Road, Leek, last month.

He sat for more than two hours outside the school office before walking home with his brother Johnathan, where he told his mum Katy about the accident.

Mrs Ridge, of Wardle Crescent, Leek, took her son to Leek Moorlands Hospital, in Ashbourne Road, where an x-ray revealed the fracture.

Andy's arm is now in plaster.

Mrs Ridge said: "We are disappointed the school did not make more effort to contact us. There wasn't even a message on our answering machine.

"Although we do not feel that the delay harmed him medically, he must have felt so alone and betrayed.

"We entrust our children to have a good education while being looked after as if they were the staff's own."

Parents of St Edward's pupils are asked to fill in a form to provide several contact numbers in the event of an emergency.

The family had provided four contacts, including a mobile and work number. The school tried the home number but received no answer as both parents were at work.

Andy's dad Stephen visited the school the following day.

He said: "It was hard to believe they couldn't follow the information we had supplied. We, as parents, would like to think that this would not happen to another child."

Mrs Ridge added: "What was the point of giving them four or five phone numbers when they say they tried one and had no success."

Andy broke his arm when he slipped and landed on a wooden bench in the playground.

He said: "I went to the office and they just put a paper towel on my arm while they tried to get in touch with my mum.

"I felt disappointed because I was in a lot of pain.

"I sat there until home-time (3.40pm) when they said I should go home and get my arm checked."

St Edward's Junior High confirmed it had met with Mr Ridge and provided him with details surrounding the injury.

In a statement it said: "The pupil appeared to present with symptoms relating to bruising, due to the level of discomfort and the level of pain. He was kept under observation.

"At approximately 3.25pm a call was made to speak with the boy's mother at home.

"The pupil told the receptionist that she would not be there but met him at home at the end of school.

"As the end of the school day was only 15 minutes away, and Andrew would very soon be in the care of his mother, no further calls were made.

"The headteacher has apologised to Mr and Mrs Ridge for not making further calls to them and has revised its procedures for contacting parents."