Teachers are being told they cannot chase children who run away from school, and must "track" them and call police instead. They have been told that running after primary age pupils breaches "safe handling" rules because it can lead them to flee faster.
The advice came to light after a mother criticised teachers for calling officers rather than stopping her four-year-old son themselves when he ran away from school.
Suzan Baker, 44, approached St Mary's Primary School, Richmond, North Yorkshire, with concerns that her son River kept escaping from the playground. She was informed it was policy for a teacher to follow him as he walked alongside a main road until police arrived.
Miss Baker said: "When I questioned them about it they just said 'Do you know how fast a four-year-old can run?'. It's crazy, an adult could easily catch up with him and safely restrain him, but apparently it is school policy not to grab them."
Jill Wilkinson, acting head teacher at St Mary's, said the school had a positive "safe handling" policy that allows staff to use reasonable action. She said: "However, it can be dangerous to chase after a child because often it makes them run faster."
North Yorkshire county council encourages teachers to track rather than chase children and call police.
There's a news video here.
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