A 34-year-old teaching assistant has been jailed for 16 weeks after being found guilty of assaulting two pupils at a school in Kent. The incident occurred at the St George's Church of England Primary School in Gravesend, where the teaching assistant was employed. The prosecution claimed that the teaching assistant had spat at one child and pinched another pupil's nose on two separate occasions in April 2023.
The court heard that the incidents were reported by the parents of the children involved, who claimed that the teaching assistant's behaviour was 'inexcusable'. The school has since taken disciplinary action against the teaching assistant and has suspended them from their duties.
The case has raised concerns over the safety of pupils in educational settings and the need for schools to provide a secure environment for children to learn. The Met Office has warned of increasing temperatures and heatwaves across the UK, with Kent experiencing temperatures reaching up to 25 degrees Celsius in recent days. However, the focus remains on ensuring the well-being and safety of pupils in schools.
In a statement, the school said: 'We take the safety and well-being of our pupils extremely seriously and are committed to providing a secure and supportive learning environment.' The school has also offered support to the children involved in the incident.
According to the Met Office, high temperatures and heatwaves are expected to continue across the UK in the coming weeks, with temperatures reaching up to 28 degrees Celsius in some areas. The organisation has issued a heatwave warning for parts of the country, advising people to take precautions to stay cool and hydrated.
In England, the Department for Education has issued guidance to schools on how to manage heatwaves and ensure pupil safety. The guidance includes advice on providing shade, increasing water breaks, and adjusting lesson schedules to avoid peak sun hours.