To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Mum Furious After Six-Year-Old Son's Front Teeth Knocked Out By Hammer During School Lesson

Mum Furious After Six-Year-Old Son's Front Teeth Knocked Out By Hammer During School Lesson

Riley Meredith-Morgan was hit in the face by a hammer during forest school

Mischa Pearlmen

Mischa Pearlmen

A six-year-old pupil had his front teeth knocked out by a hammer during a school forest lesson.

Riley Meredith-Morgan was hit in the face by a hammer during forest school, which teaches children about natural woodland and includes activities like making campfires and learning practical woodland skills.

The blow caused the six-year-old's two front teeth to fall out, and has left him unable to eat or drink without using a straw.

While a dental x-ray has revealed another set of teeth above the gum, it's possible it could take up to six years for those to grow through, meaning that Riley will definitely be toothless for Christmas.

SWNS

His mother, 29-year-old Susan, claims she hasn't even had an apology from Riley's school, Severnbanks Primary in Lydney, and is furious that an external health and safety review concluded the incident was an accident.

Susan received a message that Riley had been injured during forest school and went to pick him up.

"When I got to the school he was still in shock," she said. "My six-year-old boy had been hit in the mouth with a hammer and had his front teeth knocked out.

"It broke my heart to see him. He had to have time off school because of the severe discomfort and and he couldn't eat or drink without a straw.

"The injury itself is healing now but it's not just the physical damage.

"I had to fight with him to get him back to school and I feel sick to my stomach every second he is there."

The other child involved in the incident was excluded for the rest of the day, but Susan - who is also the mother of two other children who attend the school - has stated that punishing the child responsible is not her main concern.

SWNS

"The punishment for the child is not my issue," she said. "Accidents do happen. I just want justice for my boy.

"I left it over a week to see what they came back with and to see if I would have a written apology, but nothing.

"They have left me with no choice but to let people know what happened."

The actual circumstances of the incident are unclear, but Susan claims it happened after a group of six-year-old boys were given a safety talk. She is now calling for measures to be taken to make the lessons safer.

"They can't seem to see any safeguarding issue here and that's what bothers me.

"Something more needs to be done. I haven't even had an apology from anyone involved. The lack of compassion is unreal, it's diabolical."

Rod Johnson, chairman of the governors at Severnbanks, said the health and safety of pupils has always been paramount at the school and will continue to be so.

He said in a statement: "The recent Ofsted report acknowledges that the school places pupils' well being and safety at the heart of all it does.

"The incident referred to happened during an outdoor Forest School session where children may use a variety of tools.

"The headteacher delegated the responsibility to the deputy head to investigate this matter to ensure it was dealt with impartially, and so there could be no inference of bias or prejudice.

"The school has followed its normal policies and procedures. An investigation has been undertaken of the incident including risk assessments and interviews with all parties involved.

"When an incident like this occurs, the school refers the incident to external health and safety consultants.

"They have considered all the evidence and it is their view that this was an accident.

"As is standard for any accident such as this, the school has conducted a further review of its procedures and risk assessments.

"The school has taken action that it deems to be appropriate in the circumstances of this accident."

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: UK News, News, School, Teeth, student