A Devon child was paid £10,000 in compensation after her hair caught alight when she used a Bunsen burner in a science lesson, new data has revealed.
Figures released by Devon County Council show that during the last financial year a total of £41,538.50 compensation has been paid to students attending schools under the Council's responsibility.
The data comes as ministers have vowed to crack down on the health and safety mindset in schools.
Last year councils spent more than £3million paying compensation to 399 students who sued their schools – up from £2.4million the previous year and £2.1million the year before that.
It means that in just two years, payouts have soared by almost 50 per cent, as the compensation culture begins to take over our classrooms.In Devon other incidents which have led to payouts are:
18/11/2008 - Male pupil fell over on school playing field and injured his leg on a
protruding metal post. Compensation of £6,340 paid.
14/7/2008 – Male pupil's teeth were damaged when another pupil accidentally
hit him in the mouth with a tennis racket. Compensation of £6,500 paid
1/2/2009 – Female pupil's hair caught alight when she lit a Bunsen burner.
Compensation of £10,000 paid.
24/5/2010 – Female pupil injured her foot on a metal door which was lying
against a shed in the playground. Compensation of £2,350 paid.
21/4/2010 – Female pupil injured her face on wire mesh, covering an external
fan on the wall. Compensation of £13,500 paid.
13/12/2010 – Male pupil was injured whilst playing
Campaign for Real Education chairman Christopher McGovern said: 'The compensation culture is completely out of hand and it is causing schools to be so "risk averse" that children are missing out.
'Instead of helping pupils, it is harming them. The magic of growing up – of exploration, of curiosity and of risk-taking – is becoming a thing of the past.
'Wrapping children in cotton wool may satisfy health and safety regulations but it is robbing youngsters of their childhood.'
Robert Oxley, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Many of these payouts are absurdly high for what are quite often ludicrous reasons. Sadly payouts for simple slips and trips are indicative of a compensation culture that has taken root on the playing fields and in the classroom.
'Claims for accidents that in the past were just part of growing up are not only costing taxpayers a fortune, but also undermine the ability of teachers and schools to do what they're meant to, allowing pupils to learn and grow up.'
