An investigation has been launched after a student at a private school suffered several injuries following “an accident on a staircase”.

A boy at Somerhill School in Tonbridge is reported to have fallen “over a bannister” just before an event.

Emergency services were called to the Jacobean mansion which houses the independent prep school, near Tudeley, last Wednesday (February 21) and the young boy was taken to a London hospital where he remains.

An air ambulance was also dispatched to the “medical incident” but were unable to provide further comment.

The headmaster has confirmed an investigation into the incident is underway.

An anonymous source contacted KentOnline to say a child “fell over a bannister”.

They claim he was “sedated due to a serious head injury and several broken bones”. It has not been confirmed if he was pushed or fell while sliding down.

The anonymous source claimed it was a “terrible accident” but also went on to say parents have been left questioning whether their children are safe.

Headmaster of Somerhill School, Duncan Sinclair said: “On Wednesday, February 21 at around 4pm, one of our year four boys had an accident on a staircase at the school.

“The boy incurred several injuries and after great care was taken of him by appropriate staff on-site and by paramedics, he was taken to Kings College Hospital in London where he is improving and increasingly closer to being able to go home soon.

A thorough investigation of the incident is in progress

“While we have CCTV outside the building, we don’t have it within the building in this area.

“A thorough investigation of the incident is in progress.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

The school did not address the claims about safety, the specific injuries, or how the incident came about.

The independent prep school teaches around 600 mixed pupils aged two to 13 years old and charges up to £6,450 per term.