Pupil Suspended for Hacking School Network Due to ‘Boredom’ and Lack of Support

A 15-year-old pupil at Poltair School in St Austell has been suspended for three days after hacking into the school’s computer network during a computer science class, reportedly out of boredom.

Riley Stoddard, who has been diagnosed with ADHD, autism, and severe social and emotional anxiety, took the drastic step of breaching the school’s IT system in late November, which led to his suspension.

His father, Daniel Stoddern, is questioning the school’s handling of the situation, claiming that Riley had not received the appropriate Special Educational Needs (SEN) support that the school had promised.

Daniel argues that Riley’s actions stemmed from boredom due to a lack of intellectual stimulation and adequate supervision.

He also expressed concern over the ease with which Riley could access and hack into the school’s network, questioning the system’s security.

“Riley’s teacher made him out to be some kind of genius terrorist,” Daniel said. “They claimed he could have shut down the entire school network, which would have wiped out files, work, and contact details. But is it his fault if he’s not being intellectually stimulated?”

Riley’s father highlighted the lack of support Riley received despite previous agreements made between the school and the family.

Riley, who had previously been non-verbal and reclusive, had attended Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) therapy for 18 months but still faced challenges in school.

Daniel pointed out that Riley’s school had promised additional supervision to prevent him from becoming bored, but that promise was not fulfilled.

In the past, Riley has been suspended for playing games or watching YouTube during class when he wasn’t engaged.

His father said: “I don’t condone what Riley did, but is it his fault he wasn’t given the support he needed? Teachers and the deputy head don’t seem to consider the implications of a home sanction. Riley is now saying he won’t attend after-school catch-up or engage with staff who don’t help him in class.”

Daniel has had multiple meetings with the school regarding Riley’s needs, stressing the importance of more supervision for his son and his brother, Jason, to ensure they stay focused and avoid trouble.

However, Daniel claims these assurances needed to be followed, and Riley’s teacher failed to provide the required support.

The case has raised questions about Riley’s educational support and the school’s IT security. Daniel pointed out that Riley could access content related to hacking while attending a computer science class, suggesting potential weaknesses in the school’s network system.

“If the school’s system is so vulnerable, why was Riley given a suspension?” Daniel asked. “Riley has a curious mind and wants to work in cybersecurity. Googling how to hack something isn’t a crime.”

Daniel also expressed frustration with the school’s disciplinary process, noting that Riley had already served the suspension and missed school when the appeal process was resolved.

He said: “The issue is that Riley missed valuable school time by the time the appeal was processed. It feels like the system is failing him.”

As Riley’s suspension ends, his father is focused on advocating for better support and intervention at school to prevent future incidents. He believes that with the proper guidance, Riley could excel in his studies and possibly pursue a career in cybersecurity, a field Riley is passionate about.

The situation has sparked broader debates about the need for exceptional educational support, proper supervision for students with additional needs, and stronger school IT security.

As the Stoddern family continues to navigate this challenging situation, the hope is that Riley’s educational needs and interests in technology will be supported more effectively in the future.