Boy’s death highlights urgent need for teacher training
18 March 2010

Asthma UK is calling for teachers to be given mandatory asthma training after an inquest into the death of an 11-year-old boy at school from and asthma attack was delivered as ‘death from natural causes, contributed to significantly by neglect.’

Samuel Linton, from Stockport, Cheshire, had the attack during a class at the town's Offerton high school, but was told to sit in a corridor by his form teacher despite gasping for air for several hours.

He was left by an open window with only an inhaler until his mother was called and took him to hospital, where he died two hours later.

Speaking after the inquest at Stockport coroner's court Samuel’s parents, Paul and Karen Linton, said: ‘The inquest highlighted what happened at school that day and the thought that his death may have been prevented is too much to bear.’

Neil Churchill, Chief Executive of Asthma UK, said: This tragic event reinforces the urgent need for mandatory asthma training as part of teacher training, including ongoing assessment and we will be pursuing this vital requirement with Governments across the UK.

It also highlights how important it is that every school takes asthma seriously and has in place policies and procedures to deal with students with asthma. Asthma is the most common long-term condition in children affecting over a million children in the UK, so should be considered a priority.

‘Schools should be safe environments and parents and carers should be able to feel confident leaving children with asthma in their care. We’re committed to supporting schools in Stockport and throughout the UK and offer a range of resources and training for teachers and school nurses to support early years to secondary school age pupils.

'Resources include a tool for school nurses to support them in delivering awareness sessions on asthma and a Medical Conditions at School: Policy Pack which enables school staff to set up one overall policy to ensure children with medical conditions are protected at school. Training includes our Alert to Asthma sessions which are suitable for a range of school staff, pupils and parents plus colleges, universities and community groups.'