Teacher suspended at Ceara special needs school

A teacher at Ceara School has been suspended until a police investigation regarding the treatment of a child is complete.

The teacher at the special needs school was suspended ‘without prejudice’ on full pay while the claim is investigated.

According to Portadown Times newspaper, the principal was contacted by a member of the public.

Dr Peter Cunningham, principal at the school, said that the teacher had been suspended in line with the school’s child protection policies.

The newspaper reported that social services, the Southern Education and Library Board and the police were all contacted as part of those policies.

Dr Cunningham said, “The health, safety and well-being of the children is paramount for us and when an issue comes up it is dealt with appropriately.

“We have been collaborating fully with police in this matter.”

Ceara – like most special schools – has a preschool section, a primary section and a post-primary section.

Children attending the school are aged from three years to 19 years.

Like all schools, Ceara is inspected by the Department for Education.

Their last inspection described the school as “outstanding”.

In addition, Ceara was the first special school in the province to attain the prestigious Investors in People Award.