What should I do ? School bullying incidents and social media

[notyetsinking]

Name changed as sensitive and sorry long but avoiding drip feed

My youngest , very introverted and small for his age , was according to the school the victim in a "unfortunate " incident during school.
During lunch he went to the toilets where a lare group of older ( Y10- Y12) boys were vaping.
He quickly turned round and exited but 4 boys gave chase and dragged him back into the toilets ( they were captured on camera tackling him and dragging him by the legs).
Then they held him up under the basin and wet him . Someone holding him slipped and he was dropped on the floor .
The whole incident was filmed and another kid saw it on tiktok within minutes and alerted a teacher.
The school nurse called me and I left work and went to collect DS, who was not unexpectedly completely distraught.
The safeguarding lead was in the school clinic and said he was sorry and the school would be taking serious action upon investigation
I took DS to A&E and he'd a fractured wrist and stitches on his chin..

I emailed the school ( closed by the time we left hospital) and updated on the injuries and stating that I wanted an immediate meeting with Head .

Next morning I phoned and was told by school secretary to be patient as they had to investigate the incident. At 2.30pm the school phoned and said sorry we are still trying to get to the bottom of this .

Wednesday ( I still had DS2 at home) I phoned again to be told Head and SLT were still looking into it and can I come in tomorrow with DS.

Thursday - DS and I went into school, he went to a counsellor and I went into meeting with Head and safeguarding person.
They basically said all involved were sorry and would apologise to DS for things getting "out of hand". Turns out 9 boys owned up to the "prank".

I asked what were the consequences for these boys and school said that was confidential.

I suspect none.

DS miraculously wanted to stay in school.

Later that afternoon he calls me in tears to come and get him.
Four of the same boys have taken his laptop and bag on his way to afterschool sport .
I phone school immediately and am told they will investigate.
Friday I go into school and wait to see Head but am told all of SLT are out at conference.

I am furious. Should I involve police ?

I would still report to LA regardless of academy or LA school. Your child has a right to be safe in a school. Yes it wouldn't be LADO.

Just wanted to update and thank everyone for their support.
My DH (who works abroad ) and met with school, only to be similarly fobbed off.
They would still not disclose the sanctions for those involved . Police have said the investigation is on going.
Half Term giving us all a break from this but seriously considering moving DS.

If moving is an option then yes I would definitely look into it. The school has badly let your son down and then has really poor communication and follow up. And lack of sanctions a second bully incident occurred.

I hope the police do investigate properly.

so glad the police are investigating - thanks for keeping us informed - we are all rooting for you

I'm so sorry about what has happened to your son.
I am a DSL and do not think the school have handled this at all well. I don't think it acceptable that they have not been able to give you details of the sanctions, how is it possible to have any faith in how they have dealt with the assault, without these details.
I do think you have done the correct thing by reporting to the police, and I would make it clear to both the school and the police that you have reported it due to the lack of transparency from the school.
As a parent the minimum I would want is to know the sanction and know that the parents of the perpetrators have been informed.
As it has been dealt with so poorly, I would recommend you contact the Chair of governors and if the response from them is not satisfactory then ask for the schools complaint procedures, and go from there.
Hope you and your son get a resolution to this.

LA’s have no direct responsibility for academies and academies are not accountable to them.

For an academy this is a more appropriate point of contact.

• taking the lead on ensuring there is an appropriate response to safeguarding cases arising in academies in their region, working closely with local authorities and Ofsted

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/regional-department-for-education-dfe-directors/about

LAs do like to know what is going on in their schools regardless of maintained or academies. My LA would want to be aware of this and challenge the school in question. Depends on the LA I suppose. Some have more partnership working than others.

And depends on the trust, we have many who hold us at arms length. The right if the CEO, if course.