Five staff suspended over pupil’s asthma death

FIVE members of staff were yesterday suspended at a school that was criticised in an inquest after the death of an 11-year-old boy who suffered an asthma attack in class.

Sam Linton died after neglect at Offerton High School, in Stockport, “significantly contributed” to his death, the inquest jury ruled. He was made to sit in a corridor struggling to breathe, no ambulance was called and by the time his mother was summoned to the school his lips were turning blue.

The boy died a few hours later in hospital on December 4, 2007.

Stockport Council yesterday said five staff have been suspended from the school.

A spokesman said the suspensions are while an internal inquiry is carried out. He refused to name the staff.

The three-week inquest at Stockport Coroner’s Court heard how valuable time was lost as Sam was made to sit in the corridor.

The jury ruled last week Sam’s death was by natural causes but significantly contributed to by neglect on an “individual and systemic level”.

His parents, Paul and Karen Linton, have called for stronger implementation of first aid procedures at the school.

Mr Linton yesterday described the council’s move as a “knee-jerk reaction” and too little, too late.

Stockport Council said that is working with colleagues in Stockport Primary Care Trust to review the “policy on managing medical conditions and the updated version will be with schools at the start of the summer term”.

“The council also recently hosted two half-day training sessions for all Stockport schools on managing pupils with medical conditions.”