Teacher taken to hospital after pupil incident

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a teacher was taken to hospital following an incident with a pupil at a primary school.

The member of staff, believed to be the head teacher of Springhill and Auchenback Primary School in Barrhead Jannette Black was taken to the New Victoria Hospital in Glasgow on Wednesday.

East Renfrewshire Council said “appropriate and proportionate action was taken in line with council policy.”

Police Scotland were not notified.

It came amidst allegations there had been previous similar incidents and claims the head teacher had been witnessed on several occasions trying to restrain children while being kicked and punched.

A council spokesman said: “No serious injuries were sustained.

“The member of staff involved did not require hospital treatment, however, did attend a local minor injuries unit as a precaution.

“Incidents of this nature are extremely rare in our schools and we have a zero-tolerance approach to violence at work.

“Any claims which suggest otherwise are simply untrue. Any incident relating to violence which is reported to us is investigated thoroughly and the appropriate action taken.”

One parent raised concerns that incidents were “becoming more frequent” and talked about “the lack of effective leadership at the school to combat violence and the continued refusal of East Renfrewshire Council to accept that there are serious issues”.

But the council added: “We do not accept claims that have been made about the management of either our schools or the Education Department.”