Knox Grammar School taken to court by former student over claims lockers left him disabled


Student at one of Sydney’s most prestigious schools sues the $34,000-a-year college after claiming he can’t become a doctor because a loose locker once fell on top of him and left him with permanent injuries

  • Spencer Camden Foley filed statement of claim against Knox Grammar School
  • Mr Spencer had been a student at exclusive school between 2012 and 2017
  • He was in final year when he went into the Year 12 locker room to retrieve items
  • Statement of claim states two peers hit nearby lockers that fell onto Mr Spencer
  • Document contains three pages of injuries and disabilities Mr Spencer lives with 

A former student has taken his prestigious school to court over claims his peers struck an unsecured locker before it fell onto him and left him with permanent injuries and the inability to secure a job.

Spencer Camden Foley, 21, filed a statement of claim against Knox Grammar School, in Wahroonga, Sydney’s upper north shore, in March 2020.

The document contains more than three pages of injuries and disabilities that Mr Foley claims to have suffered because of the alleged incident, and includes a brain haemorrhage, chronic headaches and visual impairment.

A former student has taken a prestigious school to court over claims his peers struck an unsecured locker before it fell onto him and left him with permanent injuries and the inability to secure a job (pictured, Spencer Camden Foley)

A former student has taken a prestigious school to court over claims his peers struck an unsecured locker before it fell onto him and left him with permanent injuries and the inability to secure a job (pictured, Spencer Camden Foley)

Spencer Camden Foley, 21, filed a statement of claim against Knox Grammar School, in Wahroonga, Sydney's upper north shore, in March 2020

Spencer Camden Foley, 21, filed a statement of claim against Knox Grammar School, in Wahroonga, Sydney’s upper north shore, in March 2020

Mr Foley had attended the prestigious school - which demands up to $34,110 a year in fees - between February 2012 and November 2017

Mr Foley had attended the prestigious school – which demands up to $34,110 a year in fees – between February 2012 and November 2017

Mr Foley had attended the prestigious school – which demands up to $34,110 a year in fees – between February 2012 and November 2017.  

He was in his final year and completing his Higher School Certificate when he went to retrieve some items from the Year 12 locker room.

Two students then struck a bank of freestanding and unsecured lockers across the corridor before they tipped over and fell on Mr Foley, his statement of claim reads. 

The document alleges Knox Grammar School ‘failed to take reasonable care to provide a safe locker facility’ and were ‘negligent in failing to take precautions against a risk of harm that was foreseeable and not insignificant.’

Mr Foley also claims the school failed to provide him with first aid or to safely return him to his home following the alleged incident. 

The 21-year-old claims to have suffered as many as 74 injuries and disabilities that have required out-of-pocket expenses for medical and related treatment. 

The statement of claim states Mr Foley is claiming past lost earnings and superannuation as well compensation for future economic loss as his earning capacity has been ‘permanently impaired’.  

Mr Foley is yet to provide the court with a figure in his claim, however it would be over $750,000 as it is being heard in the Supreme Court.

Mr Foley’s LinkedIn profile states he is studying a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine at the University of Newcastle.

Mr Foley also claims the school failed to provide him with first aid or to safely return him to his home following the alleged incident

Mr Foley also claims the school failed to provide him with first aid or to safely return him to his home following the alleged incident

Mr Foley claims to have suffered as many as 74 injuries and disabilities as a result and is claiming losses and damages for out-of-pocket expenses for medical and related treatment

Mr Foley claims to have suffered as many as 74 injuries and disabilities as a result and is claiming losses and damages for out-of-pocket expenses for medical and related treatment

In an amended defence filed by the school in September, the school denies Mr Foley is entitled to relief as claimed, as well as denying it failed to provide first aid to Mr Foley

In an amended defence filed by the school in September, the school denies Mr Foley is entitled to relief as claimed, as well as denying it failed to provide first aid to Mr Foley

His Facebook profile states he is a ‘future doctor’.

HSC Honour Roll records show Mr Foley also achieved the highest HSC band for Agriculture, Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1 and Physics. 

In an amended defence filed by the school in September, the school denies Mr Foley is entitled to relief as claimed, as well as denying it failed to provide first aid to Mr Foley.

The school however admitted it ‘failed to take reasonable care to provide a safe locker facility for the Plaintiff’, however struck out every injury and disability listed in the claim.

A Knox Grammar School spokesman said it would not comment further on the matter.

‘It would be inappropriate to provide comment on this matter as it is currently before the courts,’ the spokesperson said.       

Mr Foley's LinkedIn profile states he is studying a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine at the University of Newcastle

Mr Foley’s LinkedIn profile states he is studying a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine at the University of Newcastle

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