A young girl was locked inside her primary school for hours after falling asleep and being missed by staff, prompting her to call 999 at around 9pm to escape. The Year 6 pupil, believed to be 11 years old, was freed by firefighters through a toilet window at Briscoe Lane Academy in Newton Heath, Manchester.
The girl, who had permission to walk home after school, used a landline phone within the building to contact police. Officers enlisted the help of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, which dispatched a fire engine from Philips Park station. The child was safely retrieved approximately 20 minutes later, unharmed.
A parent of another student expressed concern, stating families have been left 'shaken' and calling for a 'full and independent' investigation. 'We send our children to school trusting they'll be safe, accounted for and cared for. That trust has been broken,' the parent said.
The school, rated 'good' by Ofsted and part of the Wise Owl Trust, confirmed it is treating the incident with 'utmost seriousness' and has reported it to Manchester council via its local authority designated officer. A spokesperson said: 'Out of respect for the privacy of all involved, we are unable to comment on the individual circumstances... Our priority remains the welfare, safety and well-being of all pupils.'
