A teacher is being investigated on suspicion of child abuse after primary school pupils were allegedly shut in a cupboard and trapped inside.

More details have emerged about the probe, which followed a complaint about a child being placed in an isolation room.

Medway Council's children services team found that four teachers at Brompton Westbrook Primary in Gillingham had "cases to answer" for alleged gross misconduct.

As reported on October 22, the inquiry was launched because someone had contacted school inspectors Ofsted about the way a child had been treated.

The council made recommendations to the school about what action it should take as a result of its findings, but it could not impose them as the school became an academy on October 1 and is no longer under the authority's control.

“If there is any evidence of misconduct, we expect the school to take the appropriate action and we will be monitoring the case closely to make sure they do so” - Department for Education

Disciplinary proceedings had been started by Medway Council but not completed.

A cupboard door in the school's isolation room was removed by the council in September.

Complaints relate to staff allegedly putting children in the cupboard and either locking or blocking the door.

It has now emerged that one worker is being investigated following a child abuse claim.

A leaked letter written by HR Services (schools) at Medway Council states that the member of staff was under disciplinary investigation following an allegation of non-sexual child abuse.

The staff member is accused of being aware of or involved in abuse by locking pupils in a room.

The letter also states the staff member could continue to work as normal while the investigation was undertaken.

The allegations are said to relate to about eight children. A spokesman for the school has previously said it used the space for about three years and that about 15 pupils have been isolated there.

A council spokesman said: "As soon as a complaint was made to Ofsted, Medway Council's children's services department carried out a thorough investigation.

"Following this, we have made recommendations to the school about the course of action to take as a result of our findings.

"As the school is an academy, and not within local authority control, it is for the school's trustees to decide what to do next."

The spokesman said the council had worked closely with the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted during the course of the investigation.

A DfE spokesman added: "The council has carried out a full investigation into this issue, which has been passed to the trustees.

"If there is any evidence of misconduct, we expect the school to take the appropriate action and we will be monitoring the case closely to make sure they do so."

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