Five-year-old pupils were reportedly left unattended by a lake and a car park during a school trip, as disclosed in a professional standards hearing. The incident occurred at Cosmeston Lakes in Penarth, where Llandough Primary teacher Caroline Joyce expressed her shock upon discovering three girls from her reception class standing alone. The teacher had instructed teaching assistant Chloe Munn to accompany three girls and three boys to the toilet during the outing. However, instead of taking all six children to the female toilets, Munn allegedly left the girls unaccompanied outside while she took the boys to the outdoor gents’ toilets.
The hearing, held remotely on November 5, highlighted concerns that Munn had failed to adhere to procedures in previous incidents where reception class students had bumped their heads at school. Allegedly, Munn neglected to inform the pupils’ parents about the injuries and failed to complete accident log records as required. Among the allegations faced by Munn are claims of unacceptable professional conduct and serious professional incompetence, including leaving pupils unsupervised outside a toilet during a school trip.
Reflecting on the safety implications of the incident at Cosmeston Lake, Mrs. Joyce emphasised the need for trust in the learning support assistant to ensure the children’s safety. Prior to this incident, Munn had reportedly provided conflicting accounts of her partner’s passing, raising additional concerns among colleagues. Described as challenging to work with and uncommunicative, Mrs. Joyce noted Munn’s inability to fulfil tasks, follow instructions, and even teach children how to write correctly.
Headteacher Mark Ellis echoed the importance of following protocols when children sustained head injuries to ensure parents were informed about potential complications like concussion. The hearing underscored instances where Munn allegedly misled colleagues and failed to notify parents or log accidents when children bumped their heads, posing significant health and safeguarding risks. In response to the lapses, Munn purportedly admitted to fabricating information out of fear of repercussions.
Despite excelling as a nursery helper during the pandemic, Munn encountered difficulties upon transitioning to a role in the reception class directly employed by the school in September 2022. Testimonies reflected Munn’s amiable nature but highlighted her struggles in meeting job requirements, ultimately leading to her suspension and subsequent dismissal following the Cosmeston Lakes incident. The hearing will continue to address the allegations of unacceptable professional conduct and serious professional incompetence levelled against Munn.
As the proceedings evolve, concerns around child safety and professional integrity within educational settings are at the forefront. The need for adherence to safeguarding measures and transparent communication practices to protect vulnerable students remains paramount in ensuring a secure learning environment.