Mum of boy kicked by teacher delivers CCTV petition

The mum of an autistic boy attacked by a teaching assistant has delivered a petition to Downing Street calling for mandatory CCTV in educational settings for vulnerable children.

Charlotte is calling on ministers to "protect the vulnerable" after 13-year-old Tobie, who has complex needs and is non-verbal, was kicked, pushed and had his head held down at Tettenhall Wood School in Wolverhampton in April 2023.

More than 77,000 people have signed the document which says the choice over CCTV cannot be left to the discretion of individual schools.

The Department for Education has been contacted for comment.

Tobie was attacked by William Kevin Clifford, who pleaded guilty to child cruelty at Wolverhampton Crown Court in July 2024.

The 61-year-old was given a suspended nine-month prison sentence after his 20-minute assault was captured by a security camera.

Charlotte, who has no problems with the school and has previously described it as "excellent", said it would never have known what happened without the video footage.

"The vulnerable should be the most protected among us," she told the BBC during her journey to London on Friday.

"[The current] situation doesn't allow for that. It doesn't allow for non-verbal children to have their voices heard. This is the only way to offer that extra layer of protection."

The mother is being supported by London-based organisation Autistic Inclusive Meets.

CEO Emma Dalmayne said Tobie's experience was "harrowing" and children with additional needs were entitled to the same safety and care as those who are neurotypical.

"CCTV, in our opinion, should be standard in Special Educational Needs school settings," she said.

"When a parent takes their child to school they should be confident that they will be nurtured, included and guided with safety, not physically beaten."

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