School suspends teacher amid police probe into claims pupil punched

A primary school teacher has been suspended as police continue to investigate claims a pupil was punched 'multiple times' in the playground by a member of staff.

A woman purporting to be the aunt of a pupil at Christ The King School in Islington claimed in a post on X the boy had been attacked by a staff member and had to go to A&E with chest and back pains.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman told MailOnline today it was treating the allegations, which were reported last month, 'very seriously'.

Its statement added that there were 'no reports of any serious injuries'.

The school told MailOnline today the allegation of the incident was made to the school in November and it 'took the matter extremely seriously and took all appropriate actions'. 

The chair of governors for the school, James Potts, confirmed a member of staff had been suspended from work since the time of the allegations, pending a full investigation. He also confirmed the school was 'working closely with the Metropolitan Police, Islington Council and the Diocese of Westminster' on the matter. 

Islington Council also said it was aware of the reports and was taking them seriously, and was working with the school to investigate.

James Potts, Chair of Governors at Christ the King RC Primary School, said: 'An allegation was made about an incident at the school in November.

'As soon as the allegation was made, we took the matter extremely seriously and took all appropriate actions.

'A member of staff was suspended at the time, pending a full investigation.

'We are working closely with the Metropolitan Police, Islington Council and the Diocese of Westminster.

'As part of our continued partnership with parents, carers and the wider community, we take the safety and well-being of our pupils extremely seriously, and are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all.

'It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst an investigation is ongoing.'

The woman's post included a video showing a man remonstrating with a member of staff, believed to be deputy head teacher, Tracey Lane, and asking why the teacher who supposedly committed the act was still working there. 

The video, in which the staff member appears to say it is being dealt with by the police and says 'it is not appropriate to discuss' the alleged attack further, has been widely shared on social media.

The account that posted the video, wrote that the alleged 10-year-old pupil was her nephew, saying: 'I can't believe I'm even writing these words, my 10 year old nephew was punched multiple times...at Christ The King School in Islington. The 10 year old had to go to A&E immediately after reporting severe pains across his chest and back areas.'

A spokesman for the Met Police said: 'Police were contacted on Friday, 10 November following a report that a ten-year-old pupil had been assaulted by a member of staff at a school in Tollington Park, N4.

'There were no reports of any serious injuries.

'Safeguarding children remains our priority and we treat such allegations very seriously.

'Those involved in this incident, along with several witnesses, are being spoken with and the investigation is ongoing.

'We are working with partners, including the local authority and the school, to progress this matter as swiftly as possible.'

A spokesperson for Islington council said: 'We are aware of these reports and are taking them seriously. We're working with the school to investigate.'