Mum slams school after son’s arm is broken in a ‘game’

The 10-year-olds suffered the injuries when they were grabbed and thrown into the air by five older boys during a lunchtime break at South Park School, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.

Brandon Strachan and his friend Jake Duthie had to be rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where they were treated for fractured arms.

Following the incident last Monday, the boys responsible were suspended for two days and police were called into the school to warn pupils of the dangers of rough play.

Yesterday, Brandon’s furious mother, Pamela, 37, criticised the school over its handling of the situation.

Mrs Strachan, a mother-of-three, said: “There is no way this should be happening in a playground. Brandon was grabbed by the wrist and thrown into the air. He could have been paralysed if he’d landed the wrong way.

“If adults did this to each other, they would have been arrested and taken to court.

“So I think they should have been given more than a couple of days suspension. Kids love getting time off so it’s not even a punishment.”

It is understood the “game” involved the boys taking turns to swing and throw each other over the playground, by holding on to their wrists and legs.

Mrs Strachan said her son and his friend were unwilling participants and has called for the school to introduce stricter supervision at break times.

She said: “Some of the boys grabbed his arms and some grabbed his legs and he was thrown into the air. He actually heard his bone snap when he landed on the grass. But the older boys thought it was funny and laughed.

“When they saw his arm hanging , they grabbed it and started pulling it. It’s sickening.”

Both Brandon and Jake have now returned to classes with their injured arms in plaster and a letter has been sent home to all parents informing them of the incident.

A community police officer was also called in to talk to pupils about standards of behaviour, at a special assembly. Greg Dempster, general secretary of the Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland, said such incidents were rare.

He added: “Playground supervision is now standard. Things should be nipped in the bud before they get as serious as they did on this occasion.”

Councillor Brian Topping, whose own children attended Southpark Primary, described the incident as “very disappointing”.

He added: “I don’t want to see innocent kids being hurt by older pupils. I want to see kids having fun but not if they’re going to end up getting injured.”

A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council confirmed that five pupils had been suspended, adding that it took safety in schools “very seriously”.

He said: “The headteacher has spoken to their parents to outline the reasons for their exclusions.

“The school will continue to monitor the playground and reinforce the importance of appropriate behaviour.”