ESSEX schools have paid out more than any other county in injury compensation in three years, it has emerged.

Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request show Essex County Council has paid out £2.4million from 2014-2016.

The Campaign for Real Education, which has thousands of supporters across the county, says some teachers are now “terrified” of being sued in what it calls a “compensation culture”.

However, the figures are skewed by a single payout in 2016 following the near drowning of Whitmore Primary School pupil Annie Woodland, in 2000.

Ms Woodland, now 26 and living with her family in Blackpool, suffered severe brain damage as a result of which she is now incapable of looking after her own affairs.

A High Court judge ruled that a teacher and a lifeguard had failed to realise she was in trouble.

Essex County Council paid out £2million, with the lifeguard liable for the remainder.

Her lawyer Jennifer Maloney, of Slater and Gordon, said: “The compensation that Annie has been awarded will be used to provide care, support and rehabilitation for her lifetime.

“The compensation is not a lottery win for her to spend as she pleases – it’s the money she needs to survive life with her injury.

“I only wish that we could have reached this fantastic result without over a decade and a half of hard fought litigation. The court process was full of setbacks that were hugely distressing for Annie and her family.”

Chris McGovern, chairman of the the Campaign for Real Education, said: “I think a lot of it comes from US culture.

“Of course, there are serious cases like Annie’s but there are silly ones. I saw a case where a boy fell off his own skateboard in a school and the family ended up suing that school.

“Some teachers are terrified of being sued.”

An Essex County Council spokesman, said: “It is relative.

“Given the size of the county and taking into account the large payout, we are no more prone to paying compensation than other counties.”