Ds v unhappy at school - bullying?

[savetti]

Ds, nearly 13. Been extra reluctant to go to school
He breaks down this morning and tells me that there’s one kid that is making his life miserable.
There’s a thing they do, when you’ve had a haircut they hit you over the head. Seems the boys have taken it too far and he is getting hit all the time. One boy is the instigator, then he fronts up to ds, saying “what you crying for” trying to make him cry. Ds doesn’t cry. He does this all the time. If ds ignores him he gets “ what are you blanking me for?” He encourages all the other kids to do it, ds says all the other kids hate him, but do what he wants cos they’re scared of him.
Obviously ds doesn’t want me to talk to the school about this
What’s the best way to handle it?

I would speak to the school about it. Raise it with his head of year, let them know your DS didn't want you to talk about it. They will be able to have words with the year group and your DS will be anonymous xx

Talk to the school immediately about it. Follow it up if action is not taken, or if action is taken and things do not improve. Find your school's policy on bullying, make sure you understand what they state they will do and then hold them to it.

Hugs to your boy. Bullying is soul destroying, I'm glad he has been able to tell you.

Definitely talk to the school. Speak to the year head and nip it in the bud asap especially if it’s happening at school, they have a duty of care whilst your child is with them, our school has cctv. I had something very similar last year with my then 14 year old ds, on the school bus. Luckily one of ds friends had filmed it on his phone and sent it to me. I then resent the video to all the parents involved.

Sounds like that little shit has never been hit back

I just want to never send him back

It's heartbreaking, but do speak to the school, establish what they are going to do about it. If you're not happy, keep your son off until you're satisfied.
I work at a secondary school, this happens. The school needs to keep your son safe.
They should have their bullying policy on their website which you should read through. Good luck!

Please speak to the school.

Oh fgs, I’ve just read the policy and it’s talking about the victim making a statement and the bully being interviewed!

I think that's pretty standard protocol. It depends how you want it to go. Asking to speak to his head of year and have a general thing happen, like an announcement to the year group about not hitting each other over the head, or if you want it to be targetted to the bully and your son

You just need to talk to the school I’m afraid. Our secondary school comes down very hard in this bloody “fresh trim” slapping

I know, I hope they recognise that the fact that ds has ‘grassed’ will cause more problems in this instance