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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Blind pupil asked to stop using white cane in school | Blind pupil asked to stop using white cane in school |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A blind schoolgirl has been asked to stop using her white cane in school due to health and safety concerns. | A blind schoolgirl has been asked to stop using her white cane in school due to health and safety concerns. |
| Seven-year-old Lily-Grace Hooper was told she could not use her cane at Hambrook Primary School in Winterbourne Down near Bristol. | Seven-year-old Lily-Grace Hooper was told she could not use her cane at Hambrook Primary School in Winterbourne Down near Bristol. |
| Her mother Kristy Hooper said she was "devastated" when she was told of the decision last Thursday. | Her mother Kristy Hooper said she was "devastated" when she was told of the decision last Thursday. |
| The school stressed the measure was a temporary one while the situation was discussed with the family. | The school stressed the measure was a temporary one while the situation was discussed with the family. |
| Ms Hooper, who first spoke to the Bristol Post, said her daughter suffered from severe sight impairment after she suffered a stroke at four days old. | Ms Hooper, who first spoke to the Bristol Post, said her daughter suffered from severe sight impairment after she suffered a stroke at four days old. |
| She had been using the lightweight cane in school since April without issue, her mother added. | She had been using the lightweight cane in school since April without issue, her mother added. |
| "When I picked her up on Thursday her teacher said... Lily-Grace could no longer bring her cane into school. I was quite shocked," Ms Hooper said. | "When I picked her up on Thursday her teacher said... Lily-Grace could no longer bring her cane into school. I was quite shocked," Ms Hooper said. |
| 'Temporary measure' | 'Temporary measure' |
| "Lily-Grace is quite sad because she likes to use her cane because of the independence it gives her." | "Lily-Grace is quite sad because she likes to use her cane because of the independence it gives her." |
| Head teacher Jo Dent said: "The pupil has not been banned from bringing in their cane, we have simply asked them to not use it around school as a temporary measure until we have the chance to meet with the parent and discuss the situation. | Head teacher Jo Dent said: "The pupil has not been banned from bringing in their cane, we have simply asked them to not use it around school as a temporary measure until we have the chance to meet with the parent and discuss the situation. |
| "It was initially hoped we would have this resolved within a day or two. | "It was initially hoped we would have this resolved within a day or two. |
| "The school's mobility officer raised health and safety issues around the new cane following a recent risk assessment. | "The school's mobility officer raised health and safety issues around the new cane following a recent risk assessment. |
| "We have to consider all of our pupils, so it is important that we have an opportunity to discuss the situation before we make any decisions. | "We have to consider all of our pupils, so it is important that we have an opportunity to discuss the situation before we make any decisions. |
| "We are very keen to resolve this issue as soon as possible and have been actively seeking to engage with the parent to bring this to an agreeable conclusion." | "We are very keen to resolve this issue as soon as possible and have been actively seeking to engage with the parent to bring this to an agreeable conclusion." |
| Geoff Cox, from the Health and Safety Executive, said there was nothing in HSE regulations that would stop a child "from using a walking stick in school". | |
| He said it was up to those involved to work out "sensible" arrangements. | |
| "I hope common sense prevails here," he said. |