Classroom claimants costing schools

SCHOOLS across the country have paid out almost £2million in compensation to pupils after they slipped, tripped or fell in the playground.

In 2007/08, Oldham’s local education authority has shelled out more than £20,000. A whopping £13,700 was given to one child alone who sliced the top of a finger off after climbing a security gate and swinging on it. And £6,800 was given to another who was given white spirit to drink.

Critics say the type of incidents for which children are being compensated are those that would have been put down to bad luck in the past.

The biggest claim was made in Bradford where a staggering £48,808 was paid to one pupil who burned an arm on a radiator pipe.

Of the 131 local authorities who revealed their payout list, the total handed out was £1.76m for 399 cases.

Cabinet Member for children, young people and families, Councillor Kay Knox, said: “Our schools manage health and safety very well through robust policies and procedures, so thankfully incidents like those reported are incredibly rare.

“But incidents do occur in schools from time to time and there will be occasions when, having fully investigated an incident and a subsequent claim and considered the facts, a payment will be made.”