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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DD(5) attacked in park by classmates

229 replies

worriedmama91 · 11/07/2024 18:33

Posting here for traffic as I really need advice by tomorrow morning. Name changed as this is outing. This is long, I’m sorry!

After school today my DD(5) went to the local park to play. For context the park is right next to the school and all the children go there after school. She has been called names by a couple of boys in her school previously and has said they’re mean, I have always just told her to ignore them and tell the teacher if they’re being unkind. Today those boys after tormenting DD’s friend and making her cry said ‘let’s get (DD)’ they proceeded to chase her with one boy, a year older than DD (but in the same class as it’s a small school) grabbed her from behind by the shoulders and kneed her hard in the back. DD was inconsolable and in pain, she had been very scared trying to run from them.

I wasn’t present but DH was, he immediately went next door to the school to inform them so that DD will be kept safe in school from these boys but their response was ‘oh gosh well boys do play rough’. The mum of DD’s friend witnessed the whole situation and was unhappy herself with them making her DD cry so I know she will back me up.

I emailed the school to advise them of the situation and explain that I would like to speak to them tomorrow in regards to the situation so that I can feel comfortable with sending DD in to school. As of yet no respone but I plan on asking to speak to them in the morning after drop off.

My question is AIBU to expect the school to take action despite this taking place off school grounds? All I’m asking is that they speak to the boys’ parents and make sure the boys are aware that nothing similar can happen again. Is there anything I should expect the school to do or is it nothing to do with them?

In addition if anyone has any advice of what to say/how to word myself that would be great, I’m awful at confrontation and fear I may just cry! So upset that my poor DD has been targeted, apparently they always call her a baby.

OP posts:
Summerbay23 · 14/07/2024 14:55

cansu · 11/07/2024 19:11

  1. This happened while your dh was supervising. He is responsible for what happens to your dd when he is supervising. He should have spoken to the other children's parents.
  2. It is fine to tell the school that it happened and ask them to keep an eye on what happens in school.
  3. It is not fine to try and ask the school to deal with a situation and discipline children while they are under the supervision of their parents.

I agree with this. Your DH was supervising so aside from informing the school so they are aware, he should have intervened, helped your DD.

OnTheShelfie · 14/07/2024 15:08

Iseeyoupekingduck · 14/07/2024 14:50

The incident did not happen while they were in school. What the school can do is keep and eye on what's happening in school time and make sure nothing happens there.

Yes, but they did not do that.

It began inside the school. It escalated outside of the school, but it began inside the school and the OP has not referred to anything the school has done to prevent it.

Just because this further incident has happened outside of school grounds does not mean that it didn’t begin within the school and therefore the school holds no responsibility.

Some people do not comprehend how bullying begins and how it is allowed to continue.

Lingfield01 · 14/07/2024 15:12

Age 5? Isn’t it a bit too young to be going out alone? And what’s it got to do with the school? You’re responsible for your child out of school.

saltytowers · 14/07/2024 18:56

Why on earth are people saying nothing to do with the school.

Similar happened to my DS just over a year ago (few parents around as they were in Y6 and most walked to/from school alone). It happened in the park on their way home.

I was still getting out of him what happened when I got a call from the head. A parent that had seen it happen went straight back to the school and reported it. Her child handed over his phone so the head could also see the live WhatsApp, including voice notes and videos of DS being punched. The school took it extremely seriously. Whilst acknowledging that it had happened outside of the school grounds, they were able to monitor the group of children involved (including DS) on site and speak to the children about what had happened and unacceptable behaviour.

Why WOULDN'T you involve the school in these circumstances?

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