The UK Court of Appeal has confirmed that a secondary
school is not vicariously liable for an assault committed against a
pupil by a work experience student.
Background
It is important to be aware that this is a sensitive case
arising from the abuse of the claimant who was a minor at the time,
attending secondary school. The perpetrator was a college student
(PXM) aged 18, and a former pupil of the school. In February 2014,
PXM undertook a work experience placement (WEP) at the school for
one week where he met the claimant. By early March 2014, the
claimant and PXM had become 'friends' on Facebook and began
exchanging messages which continued until September 2014. In August
2014, PXM committed assault and battery against the claimant. He
was later arrested and pleaded guilty to various counts of sexual
activity with a child.
