Should I keep him off school?

[Boozysoozy1]

My son is 5, in reception. He mentioned a group of boys traditional him and we discussed techniques like ignoring them, moving away and playing with his friends.
I asked on Thursday how the techniques were working and he said one of the boys had been punching him in the stomach during a lesson. My son didn’t say anything as he didn’t want the get in trouble by interrupting the teacher.
Today, 2 boys held him down while a third punched him in the back. He says he told the teacher but quietly and wasn’t heard. He has a bruise above his eyebrow.
I told the school after the first time, they assured me it wouldn’t happen again and they have a zero tolerance to bullying. It has happened again and is escalating, what should I do - keep him off school, demand a meeting or accept this is what happens when they go to school?

*teasing not traditional

Definitely NOT what should happen at school. I'd arrange a meeting with SLT to discuss how they will keep your son safe.

Gosh, and in reception? I think I'd be looking for a new school, That would be unthinkable at the primaries I've known.

Keep him home, photograph the bruise, write down what he described and email it to the Headteacher saying you already asked for help and it's escalated.

Your son is 5 and the school is not keeping him safe. Absolutely you must step in and protect him.

At 5, I’d be finding out who the parents were and having a word myself. DD has just started in reception and all the parents pretty much know each other. I’d feel very strongly about anyone who physically hurt my child. But I’m quite hot-headed, there may be a better strategy than confronting the parents! But I’d hope any decent parent would be mortified at this news and sort it out themselves.

Also agree with pp, perhaps a new school should be considered if it keeps happening.

You call the school first thing and speak to the senior manager that deals with that year group that day. You ask what will be done to keep your child safe. You ask what measures are in place in the playground. You give as much detail as possible.

This was happening to my son at a similar age, again he was too timid to speak up so you MUST do it for him. Schools are swamped and so much goes unnoticed. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, you make them take action. I'd keep him off until you've spoken to a depute head at least and that the class teacher is aware.

I'm also a teacher, and I think if most parents knew the state of schools right now there would be protests.

I'm also a teacher, and I think if most parents knew the state of schools right now there would be protests.

^^ This. My children both have SEND and from that perspective I have known for a while how desperate things are in schools due to the chronic lack of funding. But I also beginning to see how the cracks are spreading much further than just SEND provision.

Thank you for being a teacher and working in these conditions, it must be so very hard.

Keep him off today and phone school to ask for an urgent meeting with the head TODAY!

Be very clear that if things don't change you will be going to the governors with photo evidence of the bruising and looking at new schools. The school is failing in their duty.