A headteacher and five members of training staff at a main school was suspended amid concerns over the wellbeing of pupils.
Parents of kids at Revoe primary school in Blackpool, Lancashire, were told the “professional judgment” of the six employees had been questioned when “isolating them during challenging behaviour”.
The Blackpool Gazette reported that the alarm had been raised over claims that a child was placed in a room described by one parent as being the size of a cupboard.
Headteacher Cath Woodall was among those suspended as Blackpool council and Lancashire police launched an inquiry, although the council said it did not believe any child had come to harm.
In a letter to parents, Charlotte Clarke, the council’s head of universal services and school effectiveness, wrote: “Before half-term Blackpool council became concerned about the pro judgment made by these staff in relation to the wellbeing of pupils when isolating them during challenging behaviour.
“This has led to six members of staff being suspended. The suspensions are a neutral act to allow a full investigation to take place as quickly as possible.
“I realise this will be concerning news and I am writing to reassure you that swift action has been taken and the priority of the council is always the wellbeing of pupils.”
An experienced headteacher were drafted in while the investigation continued and temporary teaching staff were also in place, the letter added.
In a statement, Sarah Riding, the council’s cabinet member for education and schools, said: “Before half-term we were made aware of an issue at Revoe primary school that raised concerns to us about the professional judgment made by a number of staff in relation to pupil wellbeing.
“These concerns have led to the suspension of six members of staff while a full investigation is carried out. It would not be appropriate to comment further on the nature of the investigation until it has been concluded.
“Although we have no reason to suspect any child has come to hurt this is a serious situation that needed immediate action to be taken.
“In the meantime temporary staff have been recruited and there shall be no disruption to children’s learning. All parents will receive a letter explaining the current arrangements in place.”
A spokeswoman for Lancashire police said: “This allegation, like any allegation involving the wellbeing of young people, is being taken extremely seriously and will be thoroughly investigated as our priority is the safeguarding of young people.
“We are in the early stages of this inquiry and are working closely with the school and the local authority to establish the circumstances. No arrests were made at this stage.”
