06-17-2006, 01:46 PM
A Chorley school, which recorded more "violent" incidents than any other in Lancashire, insisted today: "Our children are not badly behaved."
Mayfield School in Gloucester Road reported 13 incidents of physical assaults on its teachers in the year to March.
Incidents ranged from a pupil biting a teacher's breast to another pulling a teacher's hair.
But staff at the school which caters for 70 children with severe or profound learning difficulties, including many with autism, said there was no malicious intent on behalf of its pupils.
continued...
Deputy headteacher Gela Griffiths said it would be unfair to compare attacks at mainstream schools with incidents at schools like hers.
"Autism is a very complex neurological condition. There were 13 incidents but they were all because of the children's conditions and not examples of bad behaviour.
"Their actions are often a build up and an expression of frustration. When they bite someone they may be feeling anxious, but there is never any intent to hurt. They are not capable of thinking that way."
And the school ensures many more potential incidents are avoided.
Children are taught to how to control themselves when they feel anxious or frustrated and many of the pupils use specially designed symbol boards to communicate.
"A child may hand a teacher a pear sign and the teacher will immediately know they are hungry, " Mrs Griffiths explained.
Behaviour files listing particular needs and traits of every child are kept in class and staff can immediately ask for help if an incidents occurs as each teacher is supplied with walkie-talkie devices.
The school, which helps train other schools with special needs, also works closely with parents.
They include Susan Mulkern whose 15-year-old daughter Rachel, who has cerebral palsy, attends the school.
She said: "Rachel was extremely disruptive and was expelled from her last school. But once she joined Mayfield her behaviour improved straight away."
From The Chorley News
Mayfield School in Gloucester Road reported 13 incidents of physical assaults on its teachers in the year to March.
Incidents ranged from a pupil biting a teacher's breast to another pulling a teacher's hair.
But staff at the school which caters for 70 children with severe or profound learning difficulties, including many with autism, said there was no malicious intent on behalf of its pupils.
continued...
Deputy headteacher Gela Griffiths said it would be unfair to compare attacks at mainstream schools with incidents at schools like hers.
"Autism is a very complex neurological condition. There were 13 incidents but they were all because of the children's conditions and not examples of bad behaviour.
"Their actions are often a build up and an expression of frustration. When they bite someone they may be feeling anxious, but there is never any intent to hurt. They are not capable of thinking that way."
And the school ensures many more potential incidents are avoided.
Children are taught to how to control themselves when they feel anxious or frustrated and many of the pupils use specially designed symbol boards to communicate.
"A child may hand a teacher a pear sign and the teacher will immediately know they are hungry, " Mrs Griffiths explained.
Behaviour files listing particular needs and traits of every child are kept in class and staff can immediately ask for help if an incidents occurs as each teacher is supplied with walkie-talkie devices.
The school, which helps train other schools with special needs, also works closely with parents.
They include Susan Mulkern whose 15-year-old daughter Rachel, who has cerebral palsy, attends the school.
She said: "Rachel was extremely disruptive and was expelled from her last school. But once she joined Mayfield her behaviour improved straight away."
From The Chorley News