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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Josh Sandiford & Laura Sharman

Mum left 'worried sick' after daughter allegedly 'smacked on the bum' at school

A mum is furious after her daughter was allegedly "ragged" out of a tree and "smacked on the bum" at school.

Clarissa Barnes, 27, desperately wants to move her children to another school after her daughter claimed she was hit by staff at lunchtime.

The worried parent was called into Yorkswood School on July 5 and a formal investigation has now been launched into the incident.

Bosses insist they are taking the report "very seriously" adding that the member of staff is still employed at the school in Kingshurst, Birmingham.

Clarissa said the situation has left her feeling "uncomfortable" and is concerned about poor safeguarding in the classroom, reports Birmingham Live.

She told how she is worried sick and has decided to speak out urging that "the school can't get away from these things."

Clarissa is trying to move her children from the school (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)

"I'm seriously worried about my kids and I have been since January because the school has gone seriously downhill," Clarissa said.

"I'm worried sick when my kids are there. I tried to move them but the paperwork you have got to fill out just to move them from that school to a different school is horrendous."

The mum, from Kingshurst, explained that her daughter has been at the school since reception and she is now struggling to move her children elsewhere.

She added: "What's the difference between a parent smacking their children and a stranger?

An investigation is underway at the school (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)

"If I smacked my child in front of any professional or the school, they would be straight on the phone to child services. So what's the difference?"

The latest Ofsted report for Yorkswood was published in May when inspectors found the school required improvement but that its arrangements for safeguarding were effective.

It read: "Governors, leaders and staff take safeguarding seriously. Leaders have made sure that effective systems are in place to safeguard pupils.

"Staff are trained regularly and know the procedures to follow if they have a concern about anyone in the school."

Headteacher Andy Tunstall commented on the allegation and confirmed it is being investigated.

“We informed a parent of an incident where a member of staff is alleged to have harmed their child during a lunch break," he told Birmingham Live.

"The school is taking this incident very seriously and is now undertaking a formal investigation into the allegations.

"It is hoped the investigation will be completed before the end of term.

"While this is an ongoing investigation the member of staff will remain an employee of the school."

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