Parents are being asked to pay up to £10-a-head to insure their children in case of accidents at school.

West Sussex County Council said it would not accept responsibility if a pupil suffered an injury at school that was not the school’s fault.

Parents and carers of pupils at schools in the region – whether state or private – have been offered the opportunity to pay an extra £10-per-child to make sure they receive additional cover.

A council spokesman said: “It is a common misconception that children in our schools would be automatically covered by the county council's policies, if they are injured in an accident, whilst at school.

“For example, if the child slipped on a wet floor there may be negligence on the part of the school or its contractors and the child's parents/guardians should submit a claim under the county council's public liability policy.”

But if a child were to trip over their shoelaces or down the stairs accidentally, the council could not be held legally liable.

He added: “It should be noted that a personal accident policy will not cover medical expenses (other than any dental treatment received) and is not intended to replace the need for travel insurance when going abroad.

“The most common claim received is for dental treatment usually arising from an accident involving bicycles, although we have also received claims for loss of hearing following a fall from a tree, and for scarring from a dog bite.”

For the full story see today's Argus.