Page 41 - Mini-Module 9

Supervision en masse

There can be problems extending supervision and care to
large masses of children at the same time, and the courts

recognize the propensity of young children and the need to
apply a different standard of care, depending on the context.
What is necessary in any instance is to prevent any pupil
under care from suffering injury from inanimate objects,

from the actions of fellow pupils or from a combination of
the two.

In Beaumont v Surrey County Council (1968) 18, Beaumont
was sitting in the school playground during a break. A PE

teacher had just changed an elastic strip from a trampette in
the gymnasium and thrown it into a waste bin. Two other
boys had found it and started playing with it. The elastic was

stretched and when released it hit Beaumont in the eye,
nearly blinding him. The Court found the school liable and
awarded damages to Beaumont.

Scope of Teaching

Teachers often engage students in duties which are beyond

writing and reading and the classroom. In Cooper v
19
Manchester Corporation (1959) a Cooper was directed by
her teacher to carry a large pot of tea to the staff room just

before the break. It was the custom in this school for older
girls to take turns to make tea for the staff. As Cooper was
carrying the pot, a boy ran into her unexpectedly and caused
her to be scalded by the tea. Her claim for damages was

unsuccessful.

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