Police probe into child abuse claims at special school

Police have confirmed they are investigating allegations of child abuse at a special school in Lincolnshire.

The claims have been made in relation to The Lady Jane Franklin School in Spilsby, which has 60 pupils with complex learning needs.

Nerys McGarry, a spokesman for Lincolnshire Police, said: “Lincolnshire Police are investigating an allegation at the school that involves the ill-treatment of pupils.

“What we can’t say is which member of staff or how many members of staff are involved.”

There are 35 members of staff at the site, near Horncastle, including teaching, support and administration employees.

Students at the school are aged between 11 and 16 years old.

Chris Armond, acting head teacher at the school, said it was “business as usual” while investigations were ongoing.

He said: “I’m not in a position to comment on individual members of staff, in accordance with Lincolnshire County Council guide- lines.”

Mr Armond took over at the school after the previous head teacher John Craig retired at the end of the summer.

The school was recently praised for the quality for its care, guidance and support in an Ofsted report published in November last year.

The report stated: “Outstanding care guidance and support and excellent partnerships within the community are having a positive impact on the rapid progress students make in their personal development.”

Lincolnshire County Council would not comment on the investigation or say if any members of staff had been suspended.

Meredith Teasdale, assistant director of children’s services, said: “We cannot discuss any individual employee issues relating to schools.”