Injured staff and pupils paid £400K

Injuries caused by a falling whiteboard and using a vaulting horse were among the compensation claims paid to school staff and pupils in Kirklees.
Thousands of pounds have been paid out to staff and pupils in Kirklees.Thousands of pounds have been paid out to staff and pupils in Kirklees.
Thousands of pounds have been paid out to staff and pupils in Kirklees.

Almost £400,000 in compensation was paid out to injured and stressed staff and children by Kirklees Council between 2010 and 2013.

Teachers got the lion’s share – around £260,000 – with more than £230,000 of that paid out for injuries suffered in the workplace.

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Staff falling on slippery surfaces, pupils running into teachers and a white board falling off a wall onto a teacher were among the 32 injury claims made by school staff. Around £28,000 was paid out to staff thought to be suffering from stress.

The figures were revealed by the council after a Freedom of Information Act request.

Around £127,000 was paid out to pupils, with the biggest category being injuries blamed on play equipment.

Claims included injuries caused by using a vaulting horse and getting out of a swimming pool.

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A spokesman for the Association of Teachers and Lecturers said: “Potential hazards need to be identified and managed through risk assessment rather than being overly risk averse so that a worthwhile and educational activity does not take place.

Schools have a duty of care as employers. We have had members suffer serious injuries and they are entitled to compensation.”