Fairfield High School pupil's fall was "unfortunate accident"

A report investigating how a 12-year-old pupil came to plunge from a third-floor stairwell at Fairfield High School has concluded that it was "an unfortunate accident".

Bristol City Council has carried out a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident, when the boy fell from the handrail of a second to third floor staircase in February. He has since recovered and returned to school.

The boy suffered chest and head injuries at the Horfield school and was treated in Frenchay Hospital after falling into the school building’s atrium.

The investigation included interviews with witnesses, a review of school documentation and evidence from an educational psychologist.

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Police attended the incident and have confirmed they are not looking at a criminal investigation.

The design of the building complies with appropriate regulations and risk assessments had been carried out and reviewed at the correct time.

The report concludes the incident was an unfortunate accident.

The report also concludes the school should carry out a further review of risk assessments, with input from pupils to ensure they take personal responsibility for agreeing acceptable behaviour.

A copy of the report has been submitted to the Health and Safety Executive and the governors have also received a copy.

Head teacher at Fairfield High School, Catriona Mangham, said: “This report confirms appropriate action was taken at the time of the incident by Fairfield High School. We will now take forward its recommendations.

"Our pupil has made a successful return to school and we will continue to work closely with his family.”

Fairfield moved to the £19 million secondary school in Allfoxton Road in 2006 from a Victorian former grammar school site in Montpelier.

The school building, on the site of the former St Thomas More Catholic secondary school, was designed by Building Design Partnership and built by Cowlin Construction.

It has a distinctive horseshoe shape, with classrooms accessed from balconies off a high atrium, which contains a 21-metre mast inspired by Bristol’s nautical heritage.

The National Union of Teachers said it had questioned the design of the six-storey building before it opened.