A UK coroner has ruled that punitive school rules and a relationship breakdown contributed to the death of a 15-year-old pupil who struggled with his school’s disciplinary policies.

The pupil, identified as Taylor Lee, from Plymouth, died in November 2023 after repeatedly complaining that attending school had become an exhausting daily struggle.

An inquest at Devon Coroner’s Court in Exeter heard that Taylor had criticised the strict behaviour policies introduced by Ivybridge Community College, where he was a Year 11 student.

According to a report by the Daily Mail on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the school had introduced an isolation policy under which pupils faced punishment for arriving late to lessons.

On one occasion, Taylor was reportedly sent for reflection after arriving 47 seconds late to class.

He also criticised the school’s disciplinary measures, describing its behaviour policies as “unlogical” and expressing concern about their emotional impact on other pupils.

Taylor was subsequently suspended after challenging the rules during a confrontation with his headteacher.

Following his return, he again raised concerns, prompting the school to allow pupils an additional minute to get to their lessons.

However, the teenager died three weeks later at his family’s home.

Area Coroner Alison Longhorn recorded a conclusion of suicide, identifying the school’s disciplinary approach and the breakdown of Taylor’s relationship with his girlfriend as contributing factors.

She said Taylor’s experience at school had “a most significant impact” which more than minimally contributed to his death.

The coroner also disclosed that the teenager had previously experienced mental health difficulties, including low mood and self-harm.

He had struggled with bullying, mock GCSE examinations and his relationships with some teachers.

Taylor’s family had raised concerns about the effect of the school’s stricter rules on him and other pupils.

During the inquest, the school’s principal, Rachel Hutchinson, described Taylor as a “charismatic, very creative” pupil who loved life and music.

However, she said he was “a complex character” who struggled with school routines and expectations.

She explained that the stricter disciplinary measures were introduced following increased school absences after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The measures included a bell system to prompt pupils to attend lessons, a six-minute window to move between classes and sanctions for lateness, mobile phone use and other breaches of school rules.

Hutchinson said the policies remained in place.

The coroner expressed concern that the same situation could arise again, noting that there had been no changes to the college’s policies since Taylor’s death.

She also highlighted a missed opportunity after a police officer who had dealt with Taylor warned the school about his fragile mental state but received no response.

The coroner said she would issue a Prevention of Future Deaths report to address the concerns raised during the inquest.

Youth worker Richard Brooks told the inquest that Taylor had been disengaged from education and unhappy with the school’s rules.

He recalled the teenager telling him: “Every day is a battle and exhausting.”

The principal also said investigations by Ofsted and Devon County Council following complaints about the school’s policies had concluded that no further action was necessary.

Source: punchng.com

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A 200-level student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained, has died after reportedly falling off a moving campus shuttle bus.

The Students’ Union Government disclosed this in a statement jointly signed by its President, Kehinde Bamgbose; General Secretary, Olajire Emmanuel; and Public Relations Officer, Olamide Salau, on Tuesday.

According to the union, the incident occurred at the school gate when passengers alighted from the shuttle bus and were preparing to re-enter it.

The union alleged that an unidentified individual who was not supposed to be on the bus occupied the seat previously used by the deceased, leading to a disagreement.

It said that rather than resolving the situation, the driver reportedly instructed the student to attach himself to the moving vehicle so they could continue their journey.

The union said the student fell off before the bus reached Mosque Junction and became unconscious.

He was subsequently rushed to the university’s Mini Campus Health Centre for medical attention. However, the union alleged that the presentation of his student identification card was demanded before treatment could be administered.

“Sadly, within minutes, the student passed away,” the statement read.

The union described the circumstances surrounding the incident as disturbing, raising concerns about the conduct of the driver, the safety of campus transportation and the response of the university’s health facility.

“The reported instruction to a student to attach himself to a moving vehicle is unacceptable, dangerous and a gross violation of basic transportation safety standards. No driver should ever place the life of a passenger at such an avoidable risk,” it said.

It also called for an investigation into the alleged demand for the student’s identification card before he could receive emergency medical attention.

“In an emergency, the preservation of human life must take precedence over administrative requirements. No student should be denied or delayed emergency medical attention because of the inability to produce a medical card,” the union added.

The union further disclosed that the police had intervened and that the driver involved was with the relevant authorities.

It said it would allow the investigation to take its course while demanding that anyone found culpable be held accountable.

The union added that its administration, led by Fele, had repeatedly engaged relevant stakeholders over concerns about the conduct of some campus shuttle drivers, reckless driving, disregard for passenger safety and the operation of buses whose roadworthiness had been questioned.

“We have held meetings. We have raised concerns. We have made efforts to address these issues through the appropriate channels.

“It is therefore unacceptable that it should take the loss of a student’s life for these concerns to receive the urgency they deserve,” the statement added.

The union called for “an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances that led to the student’s death, including the conduct of the driver and the role of every party involved”.

Meanwhile, the university management announced the suspension of lectures and academic activities for two days following the student’s death.

In a separate statement signed by Wale Balogun on behalf of the Deputy Registrar, Corporate Affairs Division, the university said the incident occurred on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

The statement said the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, had expressed condolences to the family, friends, coursemates and lecturers of the deceased.

“As a mark of respect and solidarity with the bereaved family and the university community, the management has directed that all lectures and academic activities be suspended for today, Tuesday, November 10, and tomorrow, Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Normal academic activities will resume on Thursday, November 12, 2026,” the statement read.

The management also appealed to students to remain calm, avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information or graphic images on social media, and respect the privacy of the bereaved family.

It reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives and property and the welfare of students across the institution’s campuses.

Source: punchng.com

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The management of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, on Monday confirmed that a student involved in an incident at one of the institution’s residential facilities is alive and currently receiving medical attention at the university’s teaching hospital.

In a statement signed by Dr Johnson Akintayo, the Associate Vice President, Communication, Media and Branding of the university, the management dismissed media reports suggesting that the student, whose identity was not disclosed, had died.

The university said the student was receiving medical treatment alongside his roommate, who also sustained injuries during the incident.

A video that surfaced online on Monday showed a student attempting to jump through the window of one of the university’s hostels as his roommates struggled to prevent him from doing so.

Another video showed the student breaking the window glass while attempting to free himself from his roommates’ grip.

He sustained injuries in the process, with blood visible, as some students could be heard shouting in panic in the background.

Following the incident, some media reports claimed that the student had died.

However, the university, in its statement, said, “Contrary to reports suggesting that the student may have died, we wish to assure the public that he is responding positively to treatment and is receiving the necessary medical care.

“The incident was brought under control by the commendable and prompt intervention of the student’s roommates, whose timely action prevented what could have been a more tragic outcome.

“The student and one of his rescuers, however, sustained injuries in the process and were immediately taken for medical attention. The student’s parents have been contacted and are on campus to be with their ward as he receives treatment. The other student who sustained injuries while rescuing his roommate has been treated and discharged.”

The university also disclosed that it had commenced an investigation to establish the immediate and underlying circumstances surrounding the incident.

The statement added, “This process will help us understand what happened, identify any factors that may have contributed to the situation, and determine appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence. The university therefore urges members of the public and media organisations to refrain from circulating unverified information or attributing causes to the incident while investigations are ongoing.”

Beyond providing medical attention, the university said it was committed to supporting the student’s full recovery and well-being, adding that it would ensure appropriate support and guidance were made available to facilitate his recovery.

Akintayo further stated, “Babcock University takes the safety, health and welfare of its students and employees seriously. We remain committed to providing a safe, supportive and welcoming environment where students can learn, grow, receive mentorship and realise their full potential.

“We recognise that the well-being of our students goes beyond academic achievement and requires sustained attention to their physical, emotional and social needs.

“We appreciate the concern expressed by members of the public, parents, alumni and the wider university community. We particularly acknowledge and commend the courage and prompt action of his roommates, who came to his rescue.

“We appeal for sensitivity and restraint in discussing this incident, particularly out of respect for the student and his family at this difficult time. Babcock University will continue to monitor the student’s recovery and take all necessary steps to establish the facts surrounding the incident.”

Source: punchng.com

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