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Youth's jaw broken in school attack

20/12/2001

A PUPIL had an emergency operation after he was attacked in the playground of a Middleton school.

Dean Longden, aged 14, of Sherborne Road, Hollin, says the attack happened after he bumped into a youth in the playground at Cardinal Langley RC High School, Rochdale Road. He claims he was knocked to the ground, then kicked in the face.

He was taken to Booth Hall Children's Hospital where it was found his jawbone had been broken and he had an emergency operation to wire it up.

Because of the wiring, which will have to remain in place for another five to six weeks, Dean cannot eat and has to take liquidised food through a straw.

His mother Tracey said she was annoyed at the way the school had handled the incident.

She said: "Dean said some school staff had witnessed the attack, but it was left to his girlfriend to take him to his learning mentor for help. The school phoned me at work and I went down to find him in a terrible state.

"They hadn't even phoned for an ambulance even though he was obviously very seriously injured. It was left to me to do that, and he had to undergo an emergency hospital and spent three days in hospital."

Mr Colin Mason, headteacher, said: "Everyone at school regards the safety and welfare of pupils as a very high priority.

"In this case, the boy was given the appropriate first aid to deal with his injuries. Staff also contacted his mother to let her know about the incident in which he was hurt and to inform her that staff were taking Dean to hospital.

"We are sorry the boy's mother was not happy with the way the school handled this matter because we did the best we could to care for and comfort him."