Today's most viewed
School ‘negligent’ after four-year-old boy leaves and makes one-mile journey by himself
 |
| Shocked: Angela Hall, with her son Romeo |
A mother was distraught after her son went missing outside a Hendon school, only to be
discovered by a passer-by as he was about to cross three lanes of traffic.
Angela Hall, 36, was late picking up four-year-old Romeo from St Joseph's Roman Catholic Infant School, in Watford Way, at 3.30pm last Friday, when she received a call from a teacher to say he had disappeared.
He had walked about a mile before being rescued by a member of the public half an hour later, next to the A41 by East Finchley resident Brian Foley, 29, who immediately telephoned police.
Another passer-by, who recognised Romeo, called the school and reunited him with his mother.
Mrs Hall, of Topaz Walk, Cricklewood, said she "never dreamed" the school could be so negligent.
She said: "How did he pass two teachers to get out? And why did they not phone the police when they phoned me? It is unbelievable.
"I was on the floor crying and screaming. I was in shock.
"I am definitely never taking him back there. I can't eat or sleep. I'm devastated. He could have been murdered, abducted, fallen on a railtrack, anything.
"It's negligent. I never dreamed they could treat him like this. I am going to take this all the way, because if this isn't dealt with in the proper way, something terrible will happen."
Mrs Hall called Mr Foley a "hero", but he was more humble.
He said: "Everyone seems to think I did something heroic, but I was just happy to be there.
"Actually, it was a bit scary for me, as I couldn't believe he was on his own, and he
was about to walk into three lanes of traffic when I grabbed him.
"He must have walked at least a mile and God knows how many people he must have passed. It's really shocking."
St Joseph's headteacher Mary Parsons said an investigation was underway to find out the cause of the disappearance, but declined to comment further "to avoid prejudicing any future action taken by the governors of the school".
6:34pm Wednesday 14th May 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Biased Reporting !!!!!!, Hendon on 7:05pm Wed 14 May 08
This is a totally biased story, I would like to read what the school have to say about it. How late was the mum, where was she when school phoned her?? It closes at 3:15 and she got the call at 3:30 ?? I teach my children never to wander off so should not some of the blame lie with the mother rather than just the school?
This is a totally biased story, I would like to read what the school have to say about it. How late was the mum, where was she when school phoned her?? It closes at 3:15 and she got the call at 3:30 ?? I teach my children never to wander off so should not some of the blame lie with the mother rather than just the school?
Posted by: mary, 744-457 on 7:10pm Wed 14 May 08
THIS IS JUST TYPICAL OF THE BLAME CULTURE THAT WE LIVE IN.
THIS IS JUST TYPICAL OF THE BLAME CULTURE THAT WE LIVE IN.
Posted by: Times Series on 9:06am Thu 15 May 08
In response to the first comment, the school declined to make a detailed comment or give its side of the story — as stated in the story above.
In response to the first comment, the school declined to make a detailed comment or give its side of the story — as stated in the story above.
Posted by: John, Borehamwood on 12:32pm Thu 15 May 08
"Biased Reporting"
Most schools and nurseries have a policy on late collections along the lines of 1. call the parents 2. If no response, keep the child at school and call social services.
I doubt if any school has a policy of "Mums late, let them wander the streets"
I work in a secondary school, and contrary to popular belief, staff don't just work 8:50 - 3:15. Most are in at 8:00 and don't go until 4:30 - 5:00.
But, this is a matter of grave concern that a child was allowed to leave the premises on their own. four year olds are treated on a "hand to hand" basis at the end of the school day - no parent: no go. This is a serious failure of responsibility. Tell me "b-r" have you never been late? It happens to parents on occasion, and is not yet a crime.
"Biased Reporting"
Most schools and nurseries have a policy on late collections along the lines of 1. call the parents 2. If no response, keep the child at school and call social services.
I doubt if any school has a policy of "Mums late, let them wander the streets"
I work in a secondary school, and contrary to popular belief, staff don't just work 8:50 - 3:15. Most are in at 8:00 and don't go until 4:30 - 5:00.
But, this is a matter of grave concern that a child was allowed to leave the premises on their own. four year olds are treated on a "hand to hand" basis at the end of the school day - no parent: no go. This is a serious failure of responsibility. Tell me "b-r" have you never been late? It happens to parents on occasion, and is not yet a crime.
Posted by: Liza Nurse, Edgware on 7:18pm Thu 15 May 08
This is 100% negligence on the schools behalf!
Unfortunatley as a working mother I am often late to pick my son up from school but I know he will always be in the hands of the school either with the teacher or at the school office.
Until an authorized person has picked a child up that child is the responsibility of the school!
The teacher who was with the little boy last at the end of the day should have been aware of where he was at all times and if that teacher has not been taught that then it can only come down to the head!
This is 100% negligence on the schools behalf!
Unfortunatley as a working mother I am often late to pick my son up from school but I know he will always be in the hands of the school either with the teacher or at the school office.
Until an authorized person has picked a child up that child is the responsibility of the school!
The teacher who was with the little boy last at the end of the day should have been aware of where he was at all times and if that teacher has not been taught that then it can only come down to the head!
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
