Advice for nine year old son bullied over seven month period!!!!

[chazboo]

My son is nine and is small and slight for his age. A month after joning year 4, a boy he had previously been friends with began to bully him. Initially it was name calling (gay, weird etc) This progressed to kicking, hair pulling and pushing over at break times, I spoke to his teacher as soon as it started and the boy in question was spoken to. It stopped for a couple of weeks and then re-started. It's diffficult as this boy plays as part of a crowd of around eight boys of which my son is also included. A lot of the incidents were put down to accidents by the school which made me really angry. The "bully" is the tallest boy in class and as big as a lot of year 6 pupils and although my son won't admit it, I know he is scared of him. My son is a quiet child who works hard at school and gets good grades and I am worried this is going to have a lasting affect. I have now spoken to the school on six occassions and whilst things go quiet for a while it never lasts. So far this week he had refused to let him play with the usual crowd and yesterday pushed him over ripping his jumper and cutting his elbow. When my son went away for a week with school I had to send a letter requesting that they were kept apart during the entire trip. Incredibly the head told me that she thought things were improving as the incidents were getting further apart!! At Christmas he pushed him over so hard that my son's hip was black and blue. I tried to talk to the boy's mother but she told me that she didn't want her son or her homelife upsetting. I am considering getting the police to visit his parents. I have spoken to them and they are willing to do so. Do you think that would make matters worse? My son went to bed sobbing but he hasn't reported these latest incidents and doesn't want me to as he then gets laughed at and called a baby. I am worried sick!!!

[seeker]

How awful!

Have you asked for a copy of the school's anti bullying policy? If not, go to the office at school pick up today and ask for one- it should be possible for them to give you one in minutes. While you are there, make an appointment to see the head. Preferably tomorrow. Find out what the school says it will do in cases like this from the policy, then go in and ask them for details of the strategy they are going to use to fulfil it's obligations. Take notes. Arrange another meeting for two weeks time to discuss progress. Don't be aggressive- just be incredibly firm and assertive. Good luck!