Year 7 retalliation

Self defence is permissible in law and even in schools (although they will try and argue it isn't). You can challenge any sanction as long as it is self defence and proportionate.

I'm a primary supply teacher, but my answers are coming more from the perspective of a mum whose son has been through horrific mental and physical bullying at secondary school...it's left dh and I sadder and wiser parents!

Just to be clear, even if they are both disciplined for fighting (as they should be if both were involved in a physical altercation) that doesn't have to be the end of the matter if there is bullying occurring. School have a duty of care to enforce the bullying policy and protect students, and parents should push for them to do so if that isn't happening.

Yes it is reasonable and we would expect them not to retaliate, although I guess it depends on the specifics and severity.

As another poster said, it all b comes a bit complicated and less clear cut if they retaliate.

Yes reasonable to expect them not to retaliate. Means it is far more straightforward to discipline just the attacker.

I think it depends on whether it was done for self defence. If the second child genuinely thought they needed to retaliate to prevent it escalating, imo it's different to if they knowingly did it as a tit for tat

Yes - but they need to be vocal about it

If you were assulted in the street you are allowed to use reasonable force - kids don't understand 'acceptable reasonable force' especially if they are angry

So you now have two injured kids.

They need to speak up about assault and if necessary involve the police - same Chanel's for adults

Yes, it's normal for both children to be reprimanded if they are both involved in a physical altercation

but the staff should also be talking to the students concerned to find out why the incident happened, and it there is an ongoing bullying issue they absolutely should be following up on that and offering support to the student who needs it.