A mother is advocating for the installation of CCTV in all special schools after her 13-year-old autistic, non-speaking son, Tobie, was attacked by a teaching assistant. The incident, which took place at Tettenhall Wood School in Wolverhampton, was captured on a security camera, revealing the full extent of the assault.
During the 20-minute attack, Tobie was kicked, pushed, and had his head held down. “To see that man attack him in a place he thought was safe – it was just horrendous,” said his mother, Charlotte.
The attacker, William Kevin Clifford, 61, pleaded guilty to child cruelty at Wolverhampton Crown Court earlier this month and received a suspended nine-month sentence.
The school stated that it had “followed all processes correctly” and emphasized that “children’s safety and wellbeing were always at the heart of everything we do.”
The grainy footage shows Tobie being repeatedly attacked. At one point, he tried to stand, but Clifford pushed him down, forcing his face to the ground. Tobie attempted to crawl away, but the teaching assistant followed and kneed him in the back as he crouched behind a small gate in the playground.
Charlotte hopes that her call for CCTV will prompt other special schools to implement similar measures to ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable students.
A mother is advocating for the installation of CCTV in all special schools after her 13-year-old autistic, non-speaking son, Tobie, was attacked by a teaching assistant. The incident, which took place at Tettenhall Wood School in Wolverhampton, was captured on a security camera, revealing the full extent of the assault.
During the 20-minute attack, Tobie was kicked, pushed, and had his head held down. “To see that man attack him in a place he thought was safe – it was just horrendous,” said his mother, Charlotte.
The attacker, William Kevin Clifford, 61, pleaded guilty to child cruelty at Wolverhampton Crown Court earlier this month and received a suspended nine-month sentence.
Clifford’s court appearance was the first time Charlotte had seen the footage, despite her son being attacked in April 2023. “I was devastated, I was horrified,” she said. “For the life of me, I cannot understand what would make a person want to do that.”
Tobie had always loved school. The 13-year-old, who has a mental age of two, needs one-on-one support, and Charlotte had always trusted the adults around him. When she received the call from the school informing her that her son had been harmed by a member of staff, she could hardly believe it.
“I had to ring the head teacher back. I thought it must have been a genuine mistake, but then she confirmed it again, that my child had been attacked.”
Tobie had come home that night agitated and distressed, but because he is non-speaking, he was unable to tell his mum what had happened.
The school stated that it had “followed all processes correctly” and emphasized that “children’s safety and wellbeing were always at the heart of everything we do.”
The grainy footage shows Tobie being repeatedly attacked. At one point, he tried to stand, but Clifford pushed him down, forcing his face to the ground. Tobie attempted to crawl away, but the teaching assistant followed and kneed him in the back as he crouched behind a small gate in the playground.
Charlotte hopes that her call for CCTV will prompt other special schools to implement similar measures to ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable students.
Conclusion
Charlotte’s harrowing experience underscores the critical need for enhanced safety measures in special schools. The attack on her son, Tobie, has led her to call for the widespread implementation of CCTV to protect vulnerable students. By capturing such incidents on camera, schools can ensure accountability and provide a safer environment for all children.
Charlotte hopes that her plea will drive meaningful change, preventing other families from enduring similar trauma and ensuring that every child feels safe and protected in their educational setting.