**Parents Demand Policy Review After Schoolgirl Injured Running to Avoid School Punishment**
A family from Oldham has challenged their daughter’s school over disciplinary protocols after the 12-year-old was struck by a car while trying to avoid punishment for a forgotten item. The incident, which took place outside Waterhead Academy, has sparked questions over student safety, school supervision, and the appropriateness of rigorous rules.
Lexi, a Year Seven pupil, was injured as she attempted to retrieve her school planner, an item she had mistakenly left at home on a non-uniform day. According to her stepfather Anthony Adams, the school’s policy of issuing an immediate six-hour isolation for students who fail to bring their planners left Lexi “frightened and panicked.” School authorities are now conducting an internal investigation into the circumstances leading up to the tragic incident.
The event unfolded on 11 July, just after 8am, as pupils began arriving at the academy. On this particular day, students had permission to wear their own clothes for a ‘culture day,’ with Lexi usually keeping her planner in the pocket of her school blazer. Realising she was without the required planner, Lexi texted her stepfather and requested he bring it to school. Adams was already on his way with the item when Lexi, distressed by the threat of isolation, ran out of the school to meet him.
During her dash, Lexi encountered a zebra crossing outside the school that was partially obscured by a van. As she crossed the road, she was struck by a car, resulting in severe injuries, including three fractures to her leg. Emergency services transported her to Oldham Royal Hospital, where she underwent surgery and spent four days recovering, with a metal plate fitted to her leg.
Lexi’s mother, Jade, and stepfather have expressed grave concerns about the school’s approach to minor infractions. Speaking to the press, Adams insisted that “children are under the school’s care” as soon as they arrive and should not be allowed to leave the premises without supervision. He suggested that the strict protocol surrounding the school planner unnecessarily heightened his stepdaughter’s sense of panic.
Adams detailed how pupils are checked for their planners upon arrival by teachers stationed at the entrance. If a student forgets theirs, the school’s policy is to send them directly to an isolation room, regardless of whether it is a first offence. The prospect of spending the entire school day in isolation caused Lexi to act rashly.
“This was the first time Lexi had forgotten her planner all year,” said Adams. “She was worried about facing a whole day in isolation and, in her rush, she left the school building unsupervised. This incident could have been avoided if the policy prioritised student wellbeing over punishment.” The accident has meant that Lexi will also miss an eagerly anticipated school trip to Blackpool.
The family has questioned the safeguarding procedures at the academy, asking whether other pupils might also be at risk from similarly rigid disciplinary measures. Adams has sought reassurance from the school that such policies will be reviewed, citing his lack of confidence in current practices as a significant concern.
In a response, James Wilson, principal at Waterhead Academy, confirmed, “A Year Seven student was indeed involved in a road traffic accident outside the school premises. Thankfully, the injuries are not life-threatening. We are conducting a thorough investigation into the events to determine whether there are lessons to be learned.” The school has informed the family that findings of the inquiry are expected in September, following the summer holidays.
This incident has prompted debate both locally and online, with many parents and community members expressing sympathy for Lexi’s family and calling for a reassessment of policies that they say prioritise strict discipline over welfare and common sense. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on improving school safety and ensuring no child feels pressured into unsafe situations over minor mistakes.