Six-year-old girl ‘tied to chair’ by class assistant, hearing told
ASIX-YEAR-OLD girl was tied to a chair with the sleeves of a jumper by a teaching assistant for being naughty, a disciplinary hearing in Cardiff has been told.
Experienced Annette Henderson, 52, tied the girl into an adult chair, allegedly with a double knot, using the arms of a hooded top around her waist – before leaving her in a classroom at Maes Ebbw special school in Newport.
It was left to another teacher to free the girl by unloosening the sleeves from under the youngster’s arm and across her waist, the hearing was told.
Mrs Henderson admits tying up the pupil but denies using a double knot. The Educational Workforce Council hearing was told the girl had special learning difficulties.
But the youngster – identified only as Pupil A – was tied to the chair after allegedly hitting another pupil at the special needs school she attended.
Mrs Henderson was reported to deputy headteacher Mark Evans and an investigation was launched at the school.
Presenting officer Patrick Llewelyn said: “Pupil A had hit another pupil and Mrs Henderson then led her to an adult chair and tied the arms of a hooded top around her waist in a double knot.
“She was later released by another teaching assistant.”
Teaching assistant Tom Green described Pupil A as “challenging” and the incident happened after he saw she was about to attack another pupil.
Mr Green said: “Mrs Henderson led the girl to a wheely chair and tied her under the arms in a double knot.”
It was left to another member of staff Susan Ainscough to untie the girl from the chair .
Mrs Henderson, who had been working at the 150 pupil school for 16 years, admits tying up the pupil but denies using a double knot during the Fitness to Practice hearing.
She also denies she was in breach of rules at the school including a child protection policy and restraining pupils.
Mrs Henderson, from Cwmbran, denies unacceptable professional conduct but has admitted her behaviour “was not completely right”.
The hearing in Cardiff continues.