School staff suspended over pupil's asthma death

PA, Wednesday, 24 March 2010

Five members of staff have today been suspended at a school criticised at 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 today 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".