Teacher says pupil was ‘happy’ in final lesson
A TEACHER who attempted to resuscitate a teenage pupil who was discovered seriously ill in a school toilet block said he had seemed “happy” in his final lesson.
Michael Kent, now assistant head teacher at St John Lloyd Catholic Comprehensive School in Llanelli, said there was “no sign” that Bradley John was upset or distressed during the design technology lesson he attended at the school on the day he died.
He said Bradley “seemed happy and was thriving on the content of the lesson”, adding: “He was pleased with his work and very happy in the lesson.” Speaking at the hearing in Llanelli on Wednesday, Mr Kent said there was no indication of a trigger during the lesson that would have caused Bradley to want to harm himself.
Mr Kent said Bradley stayed after the other pupils in the class had left and volunteered to help tidy the room when the lesson finished at 10.50am on September 12, 2018, shortly before the 14-year-old was found and rushed to hospital.
Mr Kent told the hearing: “He was always very polite and helpful. He offered to collect the folders at the end of the lesson. Bradley put the folders on the side and I said: ‘Thank you Bradley.’ He replied: ‘No problem, cheers sir’ and walked out.”
CCTV footage from the school showed Bradley leaving Mr Kent’s classroom before heading in the direction of the toilet block where he was later found by his sister, who gave evidence to the hearing on Tuesday.
Other video footage captured before Mr Kent’s lesson showed “banter” between Bradley and two other pupils who “made a hand gesture that implied ‘gay’” in the corridor. However, Mr Kent said there was no disruption in his class that morning and the pupils were “working diligently”.
Bradley’s family alleges that he had experienced “numerous incidents of bullying” at school and on the school bus leading up to his death.
The inquest was told Bradley had “undoubted affection” for Mr Kent when he taught him in years 9 and 10 and they shared similar interests.
“We talked about if his dad was fixing a car or doing something with a quad. He liked the subject and thrived on it – he was a polite young man,” the teacher said.
During the hearing Bradley’s father, Byron John, said: “Can I take this opportunity to thank you for at least trying to resuscitate Bradley?” Mr Kent was among the first people on the scene when Bradley was found in a cubicle in the toilet block, which he called his “place of safety”.
Mr Kent closed his evidence saying: “I still can’t comprehend the grief and loss the family is feeling. I can’t imagine it and you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.”
The inquest continues. ■ For confidential support the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123.