Teacher attacked by pupil awarded �275,000
A TEACHER attacked by a vicious 12-year-old pupil who tried to strangle him has won �275,000 compensation because his school failed to warn him about the boy’s violent past. Damages have been awarded to Colin Adams, 51, in an out-of-court settlement with Newham Council after he was attacked in the corridor at Kingsford Community school
A TEACHER attacked by a vicious 12-year-old pupil who tried to strangle him has won �275,000 compensation because his school failed to warn him about the boy’s violent past.
Damages have been awarded to 51-year-old Colin Adams in an out-of-court settlement against Newham education authority in East London after he was attacked in the corridor at Beckton’s Kingsford Community school.
Colin, who taught ICT at the school for eight years, has had to take early retirement through ill health.
FORCED TO GIVE UP
“Teaching is the best job I have ever had,” said Colin. “But I have been forced to give it up.
“If I had known this pupil had a history of violence, I would never have turned my back on him.”
Most Read
- 1 Cyclist in hospital after lorry collision in Whitechapel
- 2 Section 60 in place across Tower Hamlets after Stepney stabbing
- 3 Mile End: Car crashes into bus stop during police pursuit
- 4 'Lucky' escape: Family flees Bethnal Green fire thanks to fire alarms
- 5 Warnings issued after four fox clubs found stuck in old car wheels
- 6 Flats under construction in Hackney Wick to be knocked down and rebuilt
- 7 Whitechapel nun pens book of 12 stories to inspire selflessness in society
- 8 'A horrific attack': Man suffers critical head injuries from Shoreditch fight
- 9 'Staffing crisis' means children's hospice cannot offer end of life care
- 10 Cycle paths joined up in Aldgate creates 'safe route' through east London
The pupil jumped on Colin from behind and then attempted to strangle him while he lay unconscious on the ground, the National Association of Schoolmasters teachers’ union disclosed this week.
The same pupil had attacked a security guard at the Beckton Globe public library across the road from the school just a week earlier.
FIGHT FOR JUSTICE
The school knew about the pupil’s violent past, but never made known to teachers, the union maintains.
Union lawyer Jane McCool, from Thompson’s solicitors, said: “We have been able to support Colin fight for justice.
“Violence in schools is unacceptable. Measures must be in place where a school knows a pupil is aggressive to ensure teachers are safe.”
Some teachers are at risk every day, says the union, because pupils who have a violent history are not properly assessed and preventative measures are not in place.
