A mother feared her child could have been kidnapped or flattened by a car after she was allowed to walk home from a school movie night as dusk fell.
The six-year-old walked out of St Michael’s Church of England Primary School in Larkhill, Wilts, after reportedly being bullied by a group of boys during the evening event, where children were left unsupervised.
Parents were told they could drop off their youngsters and enjoy an hour or two by themselves but the reality was quite the opposite for firefighter Emily Rose, 20s, whose little girl, Sofia, arrived back on her doorstep less than an hour later – at 6.15pm.
She was able to leave the school hall and make her own way home, crossing a number of busy roads and darkened streets just before sunset on Friday, 8 October.
Mrs Rose was left concerned about the safety of other young children, labelling the incident a “safeguarding worry” before demanding something changes ahead of future events.
The worried parent tried to discuss the incident with the school via a private Facebook group, but her comments and concerns were deleted by admins before her ability to comment was turned off.
‘My worst nightmare is getting called to an accident with my own child’, the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighter wrote in a Facebook post.
Adding: ‘God forbid if she was kidnapped we wouldn’t of known until pick up time. I’m just glad someone was home when she turned up.
‘She crossed main roads on her own and I’m so thankful nothing happened to her and she came straight home.’
Sofia was abused by old children whilst attending the movie night, Mrs Rose claimed.
‘Older boys hurt her and she left in distress and crying’ she said.
‘We have had an apology but it’s a safeguarding worry and we will make sure something is changed so this never happens again and our children are safe. This could have been so much worse.’
St Michael’s Church of England Primary School did not respond to our request for comment.
In a message to parents, headteacher Nicky Phillips wrote: “As many of you will be aware there was an incident of a child walking home unattended from the PTA film night.
“Whilst this event was organised and run externally by the Parent Teacher Association, the Trust takes safeguarding extremely seriously and will undertake an investigation into how the incident occurred.
“The Trust regrets any distress caused to the child and her family.
“Until the circumstances surrounding the incident can be ascertained all PTA activities, and other such similar activities, will be suspended until further notice.”
