Gosport school fails to tell mum of daughter's head injury for three hours

Gemma Mills was shocked when she went to pick up Skye Goodwin from Leesland Infant School, in Gosport, at 3pm and was told she had hit her head at lunchtime.

The school advised the 31-year-old to seek medical attention for Skye.

Doctors at Queen Alexandra Hospital, in Cosham, confirmed the youngster had concussion.

She has been off school since the incident happened on Monday and spent five hours in hospital while checks were made.

Gemma, from Whitworth Road, in Gosport, is angry she was not informed immediately about the injury.

She said: ‘I am disgusted that it took them three hours to tell me.

‘They called me just before three to say Skye had had a bad day but they didn’t mention the head injury until I went to pick her up.

‘Skye told me she had been sick during the afternoon and doctors at A&E said she had concussion.

‘She had been feeling groggy at the hospital and has been sleepy all week.’

Gemma said this is the first time she has had any problems with the school, which normally informs parents of an injury by sending a form home – something Gemma wants to see changed.

‘I understand for a small graze why sending a slip home works,’ she said.

‘But I think head injuries should be reported to the parents straight away.

‘The school said to me that because I was so distressed, if anything like this happened in the future they would tell me straight away. But they should be doing that with all parents.

‘I want to make people aware because I didn’t know what the school’s policy was before this incident.’

Gemma said she feels let down by the school and is reluctant to send Skye back when she feels better.

Claire Wilson, headteacher at Leesland Infants, said: ‘The incident was dealt with appropriately by the school. Staff took immediate action to treat the pupil and monitor her for any signs of change.

‘It was reported to the parents who collected their daughter from school and staff advised them to seek further medical advice. ‘We are looking forward to her returning to school as soon as she feels better.’