"Off rolling" isn't this illegal?

[Stressedgiraffe]

My child has been having bullying issues at school and they cannot keep them safe. When we spoke to the school today they mentioned "off rolling" them. I thought it was an odd phrase so have Googled. It seems to be a way of getting rid of problem children without expelling them.
What do we do now? Should we just remove them from school? Will the council help?

[GHSP]

Did they actually use this phrase about your child? This is what Ofsted thinks of the practice: https://educationinspection.blog.gov.uk/2019/05/10/what-is-off-rolling-and-how-does-ofsted-look-at-it-on-inspection/

[autumn1638]

It just means to take a child off the school register. They can do this if a parent requests either because the child is moving to a different school/setting or if they have decided to hone educate. If a child is missing in education I.e can't be contacted and are not attending. This needs to be reported properly to county.

If a school off rolls a child instead of excluding them officially then this is illegal.

[Rummikub]

Contact the LEA about alternative schools and provision.

I think it’s easier to do if pupil is still on roll at a school.

Are the bullies still attending the same school?

[User79853257976]

Report the bullying to the governors, they will then deal with it because Ofsted check how those complaints have been dealt with.

[Stressedgiraffe]

Yes the deputy head used that term.
We have another meeting with school on Friday. They don't want them in school but we think the bullying will continue where ever. So don't really have a solution except home school.

[Starlightshine]

only you know your child OP but I was certain my child would continue to be bullied at a new school but they aren’t. They are very happy and have made good friends. I’m glad I didn’t lose total faith. I hope your child finds happiness whatever you do.

[Beatrixslobber]

I don’t understand why they would remove the victim? Am I reading it wrong?

[Summerishere123]

Hmmm, you have written this like your child is a victim of bullying but I suspect they are in fact the bully? If this is the case, it is up to you, not the school to fix.

[Zola1]

I have some doubts especially that school would say off roll.. double especially for a victim of bullying

[Stressedgiraffe]

The school can't deal with a emo ftm trans kid who is being bullied verbally and physically. We finally got them to look at their ctv and they admitted that they can't keep them safe unless they do all their lessons in a safe space area and stay in for breaks.

[Rummikub]

@Stressedgiraffe

Yes the deputy head used that term.
We have another meeting with school on Friday. They don't want them in school but we think the bullying will continue where ever. So don't really have a solution except home school.

What year is your child in?
I do suggest speaking to the LEA.
Some colleges will take students from age 14. It’ll depend on what schemes are available in your area.

[willstarttomorrow]

My DC's outstanding school had OFSTED in and were straight to requires improvement when a parent reported them for 'off rolling'. However, in this case it was moving children to an alternative provision within the trust because these children, for what ever reason, were bringing down things they are measured on. Pretty standard within academy chains to send problems elsewhere if that child does not manage to fit into their 'one size fits all' business approach.

[Musiclover234]

3!!3! c

[willstarttomorrow]

Just to add- I also deal with lots of secondary schools as part of my job as a child protection social worker. Most primary schools are incredible at working with the most vulnerable. As soon as they move up to year 7 and do not have the right uniform, the wrong pens, parents who are unable/unwilling to support education these young people just get lost. Not individual teachers or pastoral staff at fault generally- senior management just run our huge high schools like a business because that is the system these days.

[Devon1987]

Report it to your LA and ofsted. Off rolling is illegal, it’s basically forcing a parent to agree to take their child off the school’s roll so the school have no responsibility to fix the bullying/ support mental health/sen needs. Schools try to tell parents that they can’t support needs or do anymore but legally they have too.

[DoreenonTill8]

@Stressedgiraffe

The school can't deal with a emo ftm trans kid who is being bullied verbally and physically. We finally got them to look at their ctv and they admitted that they can't keep them safe unless they do all their lessons in a safe space area and stay in for breaks.

Is it the same person/group bullying them?

[Youzaname]

Sorry you and your child are going through that. There seems to be a real witch-hunt against trans people at the moment.
Are they a teenager? Whatever reports come out there will still be trans teenagers. I don’t know what to advise it must be very difficult at the moment.

[Stressedgiraffe]

It's a mixed group of kids different years.
They get followed and have verbal abuse thrown at then in town too, even getting the bus is problematic and the bus drivers have intervened at times

[OhmygodDont]

So this is the outcome from your year 10 son punching a year 7 girl in the face after she hit him first.

[BobbyBiscuits]

It sounds like the bullying must have culminated in something, surely they would be disciplining/kicking out the bullies, not the victim? Is your kid bullying others also, is it basically two groups against eachother?
If they can't get along then it's best if you look for a new setting. FE colleges are more diverse, with teens (usually 14 plus) upto adults, mostly there through choice. Your child might get on better in that type setting.

[Fernand]

@OhmygodDont

So this is the outcome from your year 10 son punching a year 7 girl in the face after she hit him first.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/parenting/5037696-assaultsuspensiontrans-child?postsby=Stressedgiraffe

[NinetyNineRedBalloonsGoBy]

@OhmygodDont

So this is the outcome from your year 10 son punching a year 7 girl in the face after she hit him first.

Ohhh ... is this the backstory then?

[OhmygodDont]

@NinetyNineRedBalloonsGoBy

Ohhh ... is this the backstory then?

Yes ops now year 10 son hit a biological girl year 7 girl in the jaw in retaliation to nasty words and a hit. Ops child got suspended.

I very much think we are hearing a very softly softly my child is never wrong side of this story.

[DoreenonTill8]

@Fernand

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/parenting/5037696-assaultsuspensiontrans-child?postsby=Stressedgiraffe

Well that's a whole different factor and why school don't want them! Not sure but is that a 13 year old punching a 10 yo in face?

[OhmygodDont]

@DoreenonTill8

Well that's a whole different factor and why school don't want them! Not sure but is that a 13 year old punching a 10 yo in face?

My oldest is year 10. 14 about to be 15.
my middle is year 7. 12 but one of the older kids so yup 14/15 assaulting a 11/12 year old.