Bullied boy wins compensation from academy

The pay-out is believed to be one of the first of its kind and is the result of an incident at Maltby Comprehensive School last October in which Jed Winfindale (13) was hit over the head several times by another pupil wielding a wooden drawing board.

Solicitor Lucy Flynn, of Graysons solicitors, took up the case and won a settlement for breach of statutory duty and negligence against Rotherham Borough Council which admitted liability.

Ms Flynn said: “Of course we all expect that school should be a safe place for our children, and in the main it is, but sometimes things do go wrong and we must not forget that any school owes a duty of care to our children and should not expose them to unnecessary risk of injury.”

A spokesman for Maltby Academy said: “Following this particular incident the Academy did everything possible to support the young person involved and his family. He continues to study at Maltby Academy and is making good progress in all areas of learning.”

Jed, who lives in Maltby with his mum, dad Gareth and three brothers, is still a pupil at the academy where he is said to be making good progress.

MOST JUST ROLL OVER AND TAKE IT, BUT I WASN'T PREPARED TO DO THAT - Jed's mother Stacey on why she sued the school. SEE THIS WEEK'S ADVERTISER.