The Stratford school trust expresses deep regret following the death of a special needs student who choked during class break
Owen had a condition called Pica, which means he had a habit of swallowing non-food items. It’s pretty serious and can lead to choking or poisoning. Sadly, he died two days after the incident on January 9, 2023.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that Owen wasn’t properly supervised in the days leading up to this awful event. They pointed out that there were several management failures at the school, which is part of the Unity Multi Academy Trust.
In response, the trust has issued a heartfelt apology and expressed their deepest condolences to Owen’s family. They admitted that they could have done more to prevent this tragedy.
The trust has also been fined £300,000 for not following health and safety regulations. They’ve promised to make changes to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again. This includes reviewing safety protocols, training staff better, and providing ongoing support for students.
They’re really committed to learning from this and making sure their schools are safe for all kids. Their thoughts are with Owen’s family, and they want to honor his memory by creating a safer environment for everyone.
