Special needs school staff quizzed over being 'rough handed' with pupils » Education » 24dash.com

A headteacher at a special needs school is being investigated for allegedly being rough-handed with pupils, police said today.

Paul Sunners and three unknown staff members at Nyland Special School, in Nythe, Wiltshire, were suspended after they allegedly failed to follow guidelines for restraining children.

Wiltshire Police confirmed today it was investigating the claims at the school, which teaches children aged five to 11, who have emotional, behavioural and learning difficulties.

In a letter to parents, chair of governors Rachel Tolhurst said: "Just before the holiday Swindon Local Authority received allegations that some staff were not following guidelines concerning appropriate restraint methods for children.

"It is important to emphasise that the suspension is a normal procedure when allegations of this type are made. It is not evidence of any wrong actions on their behalf.

"This is a difficult time for the school, but I have been impressed by the resolve of the staff to do their very best for the children at Nyland."

Deputy headteacher Ralph Lancaster-Gaye will act as headteacher and has arranged for teachers to cover the jobs of the missing staff, according to the letter.

A Swindon Borough Council spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that four members of staff have been suspended from Nylands School. We cannot comment further for legal reasons as this matter is now the subject of an investigation by Wiltshire Police."

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: "Wiltshire Police have received an allegation against four members of staff at an educational establishment in Swindon.

"An investigation has begun but at this stage no arrests have been made.

“As the investigation is ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage. We can confirm that this investigation relates to Nyland School."