Security fears as boy, 2, walked home

Toni Boswell and Dyland outside the Moorside school

A SHOLVER mum today claimed that a school from which her two-year-old son walked home — crossing a busy road — has not done enough to improve security to prevent it happening again.

Toni Boswell (27), from Coleridge Road, said her son Dylan Lowe, now aged three, walked out of the nursery during an induction day.

She said she warned teachers at St Thomas’s School, in Coleridge Road, Moorside, when she dropped him off that Dylan had run away from her before.

Just an hour later, the toddler stunned all by walking into their home having wandered off school grounds, dodged traffic on a busy main road, and crossed two side streets as he looked for his mum.

The mum-of-three said: “I told the teacher on the induction day that my main concern was that Dylan runs away from me and I was frightened he would do the same at St Thomas’s.

“My partner was home and was stunned to see Dylan walking into our house alone about an hour after we had dropped him off.

“Five minutes later, a teacher came to our house to get him.”

Miss Boswell said the school apologised for the incident and said Dylan went missing when the teacher took all the children outside to play.

She said: “I said I was disgusted that a child of two could go home on his own.”

Although the incident happened in July, it was only this week that Miss Boswell decided to speak publicly about it.

Miss Boswell, who has since removed her son from St Thomas’s, said that at the time the school reassured her that a new nursery gate would be installed in September and the school door would be locked after 9am.

But she is not happy with the measures.

She said: “The school later said they couldn’t lock the gates because of all the deliveries they get, and when I asked for electronic gates they said they did not have any money for it. I don’t think they are taking it seriously, it will keep happening.”

Adam Laskey, head teacher, said staff immediately spotted that Dylan had left the premises and he was recovered and returned to school.

He said Dylan settled in extremely well after additional visits to make him familiar with the school.

Mr Laskey said: “We regret this incident and immediately took action, including additional security measures and new procedures, to prevent a recurrence.

“We have continued to monitor and review these procedures.

“We would like to thank the parents who have supported us in this by ensuring they close the gates installed for their children’s safety as they come and go.”