Headteacher Injured by Student Wins Compensation
A Teacher’s Fight for Safety and Justice
A headteacher who suffered life-changing injuries after being attacked by a student with a history of violent behavior has received a six-figure payout. The incident, which left her in a wheelchair, highlights the critical need for better safety measures in educational institutions.
Michelle Stone, a 50-year-old teacher from Bournemouth, Dorset, was attacked by a special educational needs (SEN) student who had previously harmed two other teachers. During the attack, she was hit in the spine, resulting in chronic pain, broken ribs, and psychological trauma. Despite her efforts to protect her colleagues, she became the victim of this violent act.
The situation at Clay Hill School in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, had been flagged by highly trained staff, including Mrs. Stone, who repeatedly warned the administration about the need for stronger protective measures. She suggested transferring the violent student to a more specialized school, but her concerns were ignored.
Mrs. Stone took legal action, believing that the school’s alleged failings contributed to the assault in May 2019. Before the case went to court, she received a six-figure settlement. Now, she is speaking out to ensure that no one else faces a similar “deeply troubling” experience.
Mrs. Stone shared her story, emphasizing the emotional and physical toll of the attack. She said:
“I loved my job and worked hard to support my students and staff. But I was placed in an impossible situation—one that was preventable. I want to make sure no one else goes through this.”
She explained that the school was a specialist institution where every pupil had additional needs. While the staff were highly trained and experienced in managing challenging situations, the behavior of the particular student exceeded their capacity to manage safely. This led her to raise concerns about the student’s safety and that of others in the school.
“I felt that the most appropriate solution would have been to transfer the pupil to another more specialized facility, which was also run by the same company, but my concerns were ignored.”
Joanne Soccard, a workplace assaults specialist at Thompsons Solicitors, who represented Mrs. Stone, commented on the case:
“This is a deeply troubling case. Our client followed every procedure, raised concerns, and asked for help—but the support simply wasn’t there. Schools must act on known risks and take responsibility before serious harm occurs, not after.”
She added that insufficient safeguarding measures can have serious implications for both staff and pupils. “There are teachers all over the country working in increasingly complex environments without the protection they deserve. If schools are serious about staff wellbeing, they must learn from this—and act.”
Despite the challenges faced by the school, a 2024 Ofsted report ranked Clay Hill School as good, noting that “this is a happy school where pupils achieve well, despite the complex barriers that some face.”
Clay Hill School declined to comment on the matter.
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