Is my child in danger at school?

Also, I'm actually feeling kind of pissed off that violent child=SEN. Sometimes that is the case, but sometimes it's the SEN kids that are the target of violent kids, because we're easy targets.

This applies even more if SEN is not present, but SEN is unfortunately used as something for the school to hide behind far too often.

A family members son was a bully at school FM tried for years to get a SEN diagnosis, turned out he's was and still is just an incredibly violent person.

Children have been hospitalised by the direct actions of this child - SEN or not, the other children have a right to a safe learning space. I'm sorry but I really question the sanity of people that ask this question. SEN doesn't mean we tiptoe round the child giving them carte blanche to behave however they like. Same to @Treeinthesky you said "So he's adhd and hits out" which is a wonderful armchair diagnosis of a completely anonymous child who you've been told punched her friend in the throat and kicked another in her stomach. Sorry you feel picked on by the parents of the kid who's iPad yours broke, but maybe you should extend your sympathy to the literal children who are being injured instead.

Who is the designated safeguarding lead? Is it also the headteacher?

I've assumed SEN precisely because I've been in this position and seen lots of post from other parents who have been dismissed and fobbed off because 'sen needs'. Its a convenient excuse to try and absolve the school of accountability by laying a massive guilt trip and pretending they don't have to do anything.

Its not an acceptable excuse.

It means
a) the school are failing to meet the needs of the SEN child.
b) the school are failing to safeguard the children.

The school has a duty to BOTH. It has a duty of care to ALL child as equal parties. One party having a disability does not trump their duty of care to other children - they have to balance needs. If they can not manage one child without putting others at risk, they have no choice but to take some sort of further action.

You HAVE to challenge it, for the benefit of both parties.

It actually HELPS build a case for extra support for the SEN child. The school/authority has a duty of care to that child to meet their needs.If they can't then it makes a case for further steps or transfer of that child to a more suitable setting for their needs.

Without challenging you are leaving children in a dangerous situation where they could be hurt.

If my child was hospitalised and I knew there was a paper trail of complaint from a number of other parents citing concerns over safeguarding and this child, I would be going absolutely nuts and taking further action.

This is why I stress the need to make complains in writing (preferably email so you have a copy yourself and its existance can't be denied).

Put the school into a position using and quoting its own policies on safeguarding and asking questions in line with this about why they are failing in their duty of care to your child. The child with SEN needs is not your problem and should not be made your child's problem if the school are failing to address their needs. You should only be concerned about your own child's right to safety. If they try and muddy the water, its not ok and you stress this.

This applies even more if SEN is not present, but SEN is unfortunately used as something for the school to hide behind far too often.

You need to write a letter to the achool

because if you write a letter ofsted have to see proof of how the school have handled the complaint

going in or phone call does nothing.

Police will get involved if child is 10 as that is the legal age of criminal responsibility. They may also speak to the school if you tell them that school is not dealing with it.

I would also report to the LA.

Regardless of what ever the needs of this child are, the school remain having a duty of care to keep other children safe from harm. SEN needs DO NOT overrule safeguarding responsibilities.

It needs to be raised as a safeguarding concern.

If the head is dismissive, you start to use the school's own policy on safeguarding going over the head first to the governors then elevating accordingly (how to do this will be within their safeguarding policy).

Just because its a private school, doesn't mean its not subject to safeguarding either.

This is NOT ok.

I had this happen to my DC and the Headteacher had exactly the same attitude...it was more to do with them not wanting the bully's parents on their back if they told the child off.

As they knew the situation was going on I made it perfectly clear that I was holding them totally responsible for my DC while on school grounds and in their care and if it ever happened again I'd be reporting her to the education authorities and the police.

Can you take it higher. Make a written report to Govt Education Department.

He hospitalised a child and got 2 days suspension? Wow. I'd recommend the parents of the children who have been attacked contact the police and press charges.

Escalate this to the Governors and local education authority. If you still have one, the local newspaper may be interested.

If you un-autocorrect "with" to "wish" it becomes a grammatical statement, albeit an unhelpful one.

So.
The mum was a friend of mine. The school wasn't aware it was I school she was going to her dads after and had the iPad and left it on the floor. The kids all gathered together in the clock room she got over whelmed as had argued with the girl earlier. School didn't bring her out first as they should do and she lost it. But again thing is she has adhd and can't help it. So yes the schools fault.

The mum had a bf and my bf worked with her bf. We all fell out now anyways as like you say it was Jeremy kyle and that isn't my style. And yes exactly why had she got his number of her bf to ring my bf to scream at him rather than me or her dad. Honestly it was a horrible time.

Anyways my dd is 9 and on elvanse 50mg no more violence she's made friends and she's fab
I pay over 100 pound a month as she still had another 2 years for cahms. So alot of parents are doing everything they can do with a shit nhs

It’s interesting he is only attacking females. Wonder if he is learning this from his home life / video games? I agree with others who have said a group of parents need to give the option to the Head - either that child is expelled or we all pull our children out. Otherwise, I would take my dd out instantly; children shouldn’t be living in fear at school, knowing that the adults will not protect them. So sorry you’re all going through this.

Have any of the parents been in touch with his mma class / school? Sorry if this has already been asked and answered I skimmed through but couldn't find it

Something similar happened to my son a few weeks ago but in high school resulting on a fractured cheek bone by a sponsored maui thai fighter 4 years older than him I reported it to the police as school weren't really interested said it must have been an accident and wasn't on cctv but a police liason went to school and checked cctv themselves and it was on cctv and done with intent. They said they can't criminalise a child but suggested and supported the school with a suspension and I went on to get in touch with his sponsors from his fight kit plastered all over social media and informed his gym/club. No been dropped and lost sponsors and was suspended.
Probably come back to bite me on the bum because his family aren't the kind you'd start a feud with but randomly attacking a boy for walking past you is not normal.

I'm not sure if you can report it I done it on 101 online but because it hasn't happened to you / your daughter I'm not sure if you csn but I'd definitely find out where he trains and complain to them.

And bullying can sometimes be worse at State schools than Private schools.

School are just hanging on hoping nothing too serious before he moves schools next year.
Children should be safe in school and importantly, they should FEEL safe.
I’d hazard a guess that there’s quite a few kids who don’t feel safe around this violent child and are genuinely perplexed as to how this behaviour is allowed to continue.
It is possible that a CAMHS referral has been made but we all know how long the waiting list is.
I would consider approaching the school governors stating the safety of children is being compromised. My next step would be contacting the LA.
Sorry just realised this is a private school. I’ve no experience in this area so please discount my comment.

From what I understand, bullying can sometimes be worse at private schools than state schools. As it is a private school, they want your money, to be blunt, especially with the proposed 20% hike in fees. I would actively look for other schools and be open to the senior staff about this. If other parents also join you in this, so much the better. Perhaps the threat of a mass exodus and the subsequent loss of fees may be the only way that action against the bully would finally happen.

Also in answer to your original question I think yes, your child and others are certainly in significant danger. Any of these type of attacks have the potential to cause severe injury or worse.

I would consult with other parents and if possible all keep your children out of school until the attacker has been removed. I would certainly call the police also, and encourage any victims to do so. Write a letter to the school as a group saying that they are not making reasonable efforts to provide a safe environment and so you will be keeping your child at home until that changes. Tell them you will as a group take legal advice on whether the school is obligated to make up the teaching time and/or refund fees paid for the time they cannot provide a suitable learning environment.

Something along the same lines happened to one of my children in the dim and distant past. The lad involved was being abused at home and, to be honest, I wanted him helped, but also wanted my child protected.

I advised the head that if he didn’t have the child removed, and help sought for him, then my children would be taken out and the local paper would let the town know why. I had no intention of naming the child, but people would obviously know who the head was. It had the required effect.

In fact my daughter's school did exclude a child (year 8)permanently because she attacked another child, dragging her to the floor and stamping on her head and the poor girl also ended up in hospital
Bloody hell, that's outrageous. I hope the child recovered quick and had good support in place.

In your shoes OP I would seriously look at moving your child to keep her safe from a potential attack if this kid is so volatile.

Private school - so they don't want to lose the fees by kicking the kid out. In that case, fight fire with fire. Band together with the other parents and threaten to withdraw your children from the school unless this situation is dealt with appropriately.

I'd also report this to the police, and make sure the school know you've done so. Mention talking to the local press, too.