Security fears after boy absconds from school

Jan 29 2009 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

Security fears after boy absconds from school

THE grandfather of a boy suffering from autism this week called for extra security measures at the 13-year-old’s school.

Les McNaughton, from Burnbank, contacted the Advertiser to raise his concerns over Sanderson High School, High Common Road, East Kilbride.

Sanderson High is part of the Calderglen High complex which was built at a cost of £36m and opened in February last year.

Seventy special needs pupils attend the school.

Mr McNaughton claims a number of the pupils, including his severely autistic grandson Alexander, have run out of the school unaccompanied and have had to be found and brought back.

Alexander managed to get out of the school unnoticed on several occasions.

Mr McNaughton (52) added that a member of council staff had told him that Alexander was found more than half a mile away from the school two weeks ago.

He said: “The person told me that the school just does not have the staff to watch all of the children all the time. I was startled when I heard that.

“My view is that the school should have a swipe-card entry system or something similar.

“This would prevent the kids leaving the school on their own, which, in my opinion, is dangerous and shows a lack of duty of care by the education authority.

“The school themselves are not at fault as they did not design or build the school.

“And I must express my praise and gratitude for the school staff for all that they do for all the pupils, which often goes above and beyond the call of duty.

“But if children with severe autism, many of whom have the mind of a four- or five-year-old, are able to get out of the school, how easy must it be for undesirables to get in?”

Mr McNaughton has asked Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP Tommy McAvoy to look into the matter.

A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman said the school catered for pupils with a variety of support needs.

“Appropriate supervision is provided within the school to ensure a safe environment for the pupils,” he added.

“All the staff within the school work with pupils to help them understand what they have to do to keep themselves safe within the school, within their homes and within their communities.”