Tower Hamlets schools branded 'unsafe' due to scale of injuries and incidents
A union has branded schools in Tower Hamlets ‘unsafe’ following the release of data revealing the scale of injuries and near misses in the borough’s schools.
GMB Union submitted a freedom of information request for data relating to health and safety incidents in Tower Hamlets schools.
The data revealed that between 2021 and 2024, there were 744 reported incidents in the borough's schools, including physical assaults, falls from height, exposure to fire, and being hit by a moving vehicle.
The union believes these figures may be a drop in the ocean, as many staff are unaware of how to report incidents, do not have time, or simply do not do so, believing nothing will be done.
A recent inspection of St Luke’s Primary School – which was prompted by GMB – revealed missing risk assessments; children’s medicines stored loosely in a rucksack; out of date first aid kits; and drinking water stored in a shower tray, next to a toilet brush.
A health and safety official with Tower Hamlets Council told GMB that the issues discovered at St Luke’s were no different to those at schools across the borough.
The school has recently cut 25% of their support staff and failed to provide GMB with legally required health and safety documents, raising concerns that staff and pupil safety could deteriorate further.
The union is regularly informed by support staff of shocking incidents, including being violently assaulted and coming into contact with vomit and excrement.
Jasmin Deans, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
“School support staff are consistently told that assaults and injuries are just part of the job.
“This attitude undermines the dignity and wellbeing of dedicated support staff.
“It is fuelling a health and safety crisis in our schools, to the point where we believe schools in Tower Hamlets are unsafe.
“School leaders must do more to protect staff and pupils – health and safety cannot be an afterthought.”
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