Sam Linton, 11, died after being made to sit in a corridor at Offerton High School in Stockport, Greater Manchester, struggling to breathe. No ambulance was called and by the time his mother arrived at the school Sam’s lips had turned blue. He died a few hours later in hospital.

Neglect “significantly contributed” to his death in December 2007, an inquest jury ruled.

The staff have been suspended while an internal inquiry is carried out, Stockport Council said today. Evelyn Leslie, the head teacher, is among those who have been asked to stand down during the inquiry and Jan Ford, the teacher who told Sam, to sit in the corridor is has also been suspended. The other three members of staff are believed to be teaching assistants. 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 that Sam’s death was by natural causes but neglect at an “individual and systemic level” was a significant contributory factor. … Continue reading