Mum tells of her fury after schoolchildren are ‘put in a cupboard if they’re naughty’
Concerned Victoria Francis says she is 'disgusted' after her 11-year-old son is targeted with punishment at school
A PROBE has been launched into claims naughty boys are being banished to a store cupboard at a junior school.
Wigan Council are looking into the allegations made against a member of staff at Leigh CE Junior School in Manchester.
Concerned mum Victoria Francis has told of her anger after learning her 11-year-old son Nathan was reportedly one of the youngsters targeted with the punishment.
She said: “I am fuming and disgusted by the whole thing.
“Nathan suffers from dyspraxia and told me he was put in there for not writing as quickly as the rest of his class. To be punished for having a disability is despicable.
“I’m told it’s just boys that are put in the store cupboard, none of the girls are.”
Victoria said that at least six children are thought to be involved in the investigation, and that social services have met with each of their parents or guardians.
It is understood that social services will be visiting the school this week.
Victoria added: “The member of staff was apparently making them stand inside the cupboard, which Nathan says has a window, on their own and then shutting the door.
"Nathan says sometimes he was told he would be in there for five minutes and then he could come out, but he can tell the time and says he’s been in there for over an hour before.
“It’s not on. Nathan isn’t the biggest fan of school as it is and I know some of the other pupils have been scared and upset by it.”
Victoria says she was made aware of the investigation after receiving a call from a social worker.
She told the M.E.N that the alleged incidents had come to light after another concerned mum had called the police.
It’s not yet known whether the member of staff in question has been suspended.
A spokesman for Wigan Council said it would be up to the school, which is closed until Tuesday, to take any action.
James Winterbottom, director for children’s services at Wigan Council, said: “We have been made aware of allegations and are working with the school and police on the matter and will keep parents appropriately informed throughout the process.”