Schoolgirl Injured by Car After Leaving Campus for Planner

A twelve-year-old schoolgirl, Lexi Adams, suffered multiple leg fractures after being struck by a car while leaving Waterhead Academy in Oldham on July 11, 2023. The incident occurred as Lexi “panicked” and rushed out of the school grounds to retrieve her forgotten planner from her stepfather, Anthony Adams, who was en route to deliver it.

According to Anthony, Lexi was following the school’s strict policy that requires students to present a planner upon arrival. Failing to do so could result in immediate disciplinary action, including being sent to an isolation room. Lexi left the school during morning hours, shortly after arriving at around 08:15, in an attempt to meet Anthony at a designated drop-off point. The collision occurred at approximately 08:25, just outside the school.

The accident has raised significant concerns from her family, who believe the school’s policies contributed to the incident. Anthony stated, “She should not have been allowed to leave the school premises because the pupils are under the school’s care.” He emphasized that Lexi was allowed to exit by a teacher who was aware of her intentions, but the urgency of her situation led to her crossing a zebra crossing obstructed by a van, where she was subsequently hit by a car.

Lexi was taken to Oldham Royal Hospital, where she spent four days recovering from her injuries, which required surgery to insert a metal plate into her leg. The incident has also resulted in Lexi missing an important end-of-term school trip to Blackpool.

In response to the incident, James Wilson, principal of Waterhead Academy, confirmed that a full investigation is underway. He stated, “We can confirm that a Year seven student was injured while crossing the road outside the school. Thankfully, the injuries are not life-threatening, and our thoughts are with her and her family as she recovers.” However, Anthony expressed frustration over the school’s handling of the situation, claiming that during a meeting with Wilson, the principal was evasive and did not acknowledge any responsibility for allowing Lexi to leave the premises unsupervised.

Anthony criticized the school’s policies as “outdated” and “harsh,” arguing that they prioritize punishment over student safety. He noted that Lexi’s situation was particularly distressing because it was the first time she had forgotten her planner, and she felt compelled to act out of fear of detention.

“The policy creates an environment where a child should never feel so afraid of a minor mistake that they run out of school and end up in hospital,” he said. He further highlighted concerns about the potential risks to other students under similar rigid disciplinary measures.

The family has been informed that the investigation’s findings will be available on September 9, 2023, a timeline Anthony has described as “outrageous” given the circumstances.

As the investigation continues, the Adams family hopes that the incident will prompt a review of the school’s policies to enhance student safety and well-being.