A Tilehurst primary school says it is "wholly committed" to safeguarding after a child briefly went missing, prompting questions from parents. 

Last month a pupil at Westwood Farm Infant School, in Fullbrook Close, disappeared for approximately 20 minutes. After a search, he was found outside the entrance to the junior school. 

A concerned parent raised the issue at a recent parent council meeting held earlier this month.

The school told the Chronicle this was an isolated incident with 'other mitigating circumstances'. 

Headteacher Geraldine Ross said: “This incident was fully investigated in January and the parents were satisfied with the outcome.

She added: “It was not appropriate to address the incident during a recent parent/teacher forum with other parents, but the school is fully committed to safeguarding their children at all times.”

At the meeting and in minutes seen by the Chronicle, parents were told that this was an isolated incident and that protocols have since been put in place to protect children with some procedures 'changed or tightened'. 

One parent, who requested to have their name withheld, said they were frustrated that the school did not bring up the issue of the child disappearing at the meeting themselves. 

They said it seemed as though the school was keen to brush past the incident and was more concerned over its image. 

The parent said: "What is most concerning is their (Westwood Farm Federated Schools) prioritization of preserving their reputation over informing parents about a critical safeguarding matter.

“Parents deserve to be informed about their children's safety while under the school's care and should have the opportunity to ask questions or receive an explanation regarding the incident.

They added: “By withholding information from parents, the school is essentially denying them the chance to implement their own safety precautions too.”

Westwood Farm Infant School has around 218 pupils from ages three to seven. It is a mixed community school that was rated 'good' at its most recent Ofsted inspection last November. 

The school was praised a 'calm and purposeful learning environment'.