DS had no choice to punch him

[carrywatermelons]

DS8 is a very gentle and peaceful child. He is never in trouble at school and rarely at home.
Dh collected him from school to be told there was an incident and DS lost his break.
Turns out 2 boys - one being the biggest in the school - were trapping DS in the playground and then in a shed in a alley next to the playground. Both blocked one exit each, The bigger one threatened to punch him. DS tried to push his way out where the smaller boy was - DS was very scared - but it didn't work so panicked and he punched the smaller boy (not hard).
DS got a red card and sent to the school office to do work - which is basically isolation - and neither of the other 2 even got told off. DS came home in floods of tears, being trapped and threatened has really shook him up.
Tried to call the school but received an email back saying how they were glad DS showed remorse and to talk to him about positive behaviour choices.

I'd send a complaint to the governors and a goodbye gesture.
Hope your son settles well.

*as a

SOunds like you are doing the right thing OP but can see how it must be upsetting all around for you and your dc.

Appalled that the executive principal wouldn't tell you what your ds should have done - given the way that they have treated you and your ds I would be very tempted next time you email them, ask again for 'advice' on exactly what ds should have done, since shouting and asking nicely and trying to get through without touching the small bully didn't work and he was panic-ing about being hit himself... I would then say that as they, as grown adults, were unable to give any answer to the question, let alone a better solution to it, you can only conclude that they believe that ds did the only thing available to him, what they themselves would have done but that they don't have the guts to admit it because it would mean that they have failed ds by punishing him and ignoring the appalling behaviour of the two bullies.

oops posted too soon.

Meant to say - I'd get that in writing so that it is on record that they refused to say exactly what ds should have done to have saved himself from being hit when being bullied by known bullies and throw it back on to them.

And then definitely report it as a safeguarding incident if they are unable to provide advice to a child on how to avoid being hit when being threatened by known bullies - not sure which is worse - that they refuse or are unable to answer - but at least this way they should get rapped for it!

Your poor little boy - injustice stinks!!! :-( x