TEACHERS at a special needs school were told to give razor blades to a

vulnerable pupil who was allowed to self-harm in a “safe and controlled

manner”.

An investigation is under way after the principal and headteacher decided it

was the best way to help the troubled youngster.

They told staff to give the student access to sterilised blades and escort

them to a bathroom — where they could cut themselves. They were then ordered

to wait outside, checking on the pupil every two minutes, before dressing

and cleaning the wounds.

The policy was abandoned after just six days following protests from staff at

Unsted Park School — which caters for boys and girls aged between seven and

19 — in Godalming, Surrey.

Principal Steve Dempsey and headteacher Laura Blair could now be hauled before

a Teaching Agency hearing over allegations of unacceptable professional

conduct.

Last night a spokesman for the Priory Group, responsible for running the

school — which has children with Asperger’s Syndrome and autism — said:

“This was a short-term, local procedure introduced by the headteacher and

school principal who genuinely believed it was in the best interests of the

pupil.

“However, they accept that the procedure should not have been implemented

without further approvals having been obtained from key stakeholders and

senior management prior to its introduction.”

Last month an Ofsted report rated Unsted Park as “good with outstanding

features”.

r.phillips@the-sun.co.uk