A TEENAGE pupil has been suspended from school after a 14-year-old boy's face was burned in a cookery lesson.

Mark Bailey was left with a two-inch mark under his right eye after he was scorched by a heated-up potato masher at Norden High School, Rishton.

The other boy was suspended for five days following the incident, which also involved a third boy from Year 9, and police are investigating.

Mark's parents, John and Tanya Bailey, of St Charles Road, Rishton, say the pupil who did it should be expelled.

They also intend to lodge a complaint with Lancashire Education Authority and want guarantees that similar incidents will be prevented.

Mrs Bailey said: "Mark was just sitting quietly, getting on with some written work, when a lad came over and shouted at him.

"Mark lifted his head and a metal potato masher which had been heated on the flame of a gas oven went into in his face. "It left a two-inch burn under his right eye and the masher's pattern was imprinted on his cheek. Luckily, it won't scar.

"Mark said he didn't feel anything at the time and only realised what had happened at the end of class when other pupils were asking what he'd done to his face.

"He told a teacher who did everything right and put cold water on it. We kept Mark off school the following day, but he was worried about this other lad coming back. They suspended the boy for a week, but I don't think that was enough. He should have been excluded, or at least been given a longer suspension.

"The head said it was out of character, but I'm not interested in her defending him.

"It could have been a lot worse and I'd like them to make sure this sort of thing won't happen again."

In a written statement, head teacher Gena Merrett said: "An incident took place last week in a food technology lesson in which a boy was injured. He was treated by staff as soon as possible.

"The boy who caused the injury was dealt with as soon as we were aware of the facts. His parents were called in and he was suspended for a week.

"He was a boy of previous excellent record. This is a longer suspension than I would usually give to a first offender, to reflect the seriousness of the incident.

"As the police have been consulted I cannot comment any further on this incident."

Inspector Bob Ford, of Great Harwood police, said: "We have received a phone call about an alleged incident and we are investigating the matter, but I cannot comment any further at this stage."

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