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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to expect school to treat my daughter's assault seriously?

25 replies

Downtheslipperyslip · 05/04/2026 19:12

AIBU to be absolutely livid at what’s been done to my daughter?

My 12 year old was attacked by two girls from her school: two on one. They knocked her to the ground, kicked her in the stomach and pulled out a clump of her hair.

This wasn’t a “falling out”, it was a full on assault.

Now, during the Easter holidays, one of the girls has posted on social media about how “happy” she felt after slapping “that one girl”: naming my daughter in the comments. So not only no remorse, but actually bragging about it.
I have screenshots of the post, but haven’t posted here with them as they are minors.

I’m beyond angry. This “girls support girls” narrative feels like a joke when this is the reality.

AIBU to think this needs to be taken seriously when school returns, and not brushed off as low level drama?

OP posts:
smilingatthesun · 05/04/2026 19:13

Have you reported to police? This is assault

CrispySquid · 05/04/2026 19:14

Did this happen on school grounds just before everyone broke up for Easter break or in the actual Easter Holidays?

swashbucklecheer · 05/04/2026 19:14

If this happened outside of school, you need to go to the police

Martymcfly24 · 05/04/2026 19:15

What was the schools initial reaction to the assault. This is a very serious matter.

PoppinjayPolly · 05/04/2026 19:16

Absolutely report to police, but await the influx of “have you not considered how awful this poor girls home life is op?!!! Your daughter is lucky to have an interested parent… check your privilege…” look at all the apologists on here for the violent, scummy London teen rioters!

Rileysp · 05/04/2026 19:17

Teacher here.

school have a role to play here, and yes, schools are expected to play a role in out of school behaviour.

this is a police matter first and foremost though

Zapx · 05/04/2026 19:18

Have you contacted the school already? It’s absolutely a big deal and you should let them know now as well as reporting to the police. Take photos of injuries.

Batties · 05/04/2026 19:19

I would contact the police.

Rileysp · 05/04/2026 19:20

Zapx · 05/04/2026 19:18

Have you contacted the school already? It’s absolutely a big deal and you should let them know now as well as reporting to the police. Take photos of injuries.

Remember it is Easter, and schools aren’t obligated to acknowledge any communication. Never mind deal with it.

First port of call is police.

OttersOnAPlane · 05/04/2026 19:20

Straight to the cops and email head of year.

Blocksfruity · 05/04/2026 19:20

It doesn't matter if this was on or off school. Police, now.

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 05/04/2026 19:26

Another teacher here . Report to the police ASAP and then to the school when they return. You will probably not get a reply until the next term begins though. Also take screenshots of everything on Facebook.
Do hope that your DD is OK . Xx

CrispySquid · 05/04/2026 19:27

If it’s happened over the Easter holidays then school won’t be able to “deal with anything” until school resumes anyway. There’s nothing they can do about it right now off the back of any email you may send them. Either way, you should be going to the police as your first course of action. This is assault.

I actually think more parents should be going to the police when their child is physically assaulted either on or off school grounds. I think children need to understand the gravity and seriousness of inflicting violence on other people in society and face the consequences.

Vaxtable · 05/04/2026 19:28

I would just go straight to the police now with all the evidence and cut the school out

phoenixrosehere · 05/04/2026 19:32

Contact the police because regardless if it was on school grounds or not, it is assault.

I guess the girls are likely older than 10 where they can be held criminally responsible.

Since the girl is bragging about it, screenshot what she is saying before she can try to delete them if and when you do go to the police and photograph your daughter’s injuries, and have evidence of any treatment she needed because of it.

cobrakaieaglefang · 05/04/2026 19:34

I'd be reporting to police straight away..

Offherrockingchair · 05/04/2026 19:34

Assuming you’ve gone to the police with all evidence described here, I’d contact the school and say that as a police investigation is ongoing, your DC needs to know they’re safe in school and to be nowhere near her attackers.

Original poster
Downtheslipperyslip · 05/04/2026 19:42

I’ve been to the police, the other girl is ‘known’ to them. Their response was to wait three days afterwards then visit the child’s home to tell her not to do it again. I haven’t heard update on whether this visit happened or not. I have photos of the posts, and the injuries.

the level of violence she endured is quite scary, and she’s very anxious.

OP posts:
PullyDog · 05/04/2026 19:44

Afaik schools don't generally deal with things that happen outside school, if it's an on going situation, and she is being bullied in school then they will.

I'd go direct to the police in this situation though, any reason you cant do that?

Sorry, just seen your post that you have been. Great evidence for the school too then

ExtraOnions · 05/04/2026 19:58

Downtheslipperyslip · 05/04/2026 19:42

I’ve been to the police, the other girl is ‘known’ to them. Their response was to wait three days afterwards then visit the child’s home to tell her not to do it again. I haven’t heard update on whether this visit happened or not. I have photos of the posts, and the injuries.

the level of violence she endured is quite scary, and she’s very anxious.

Edited

If you aren’t happy with the Police response you need to complain. Don’t accept thier first response if you aren’t happy with it.

Yes, you also need to report to school. The Head has a responsibility to keep the young people at the school safe (I’m a Governor), this includes behaviour outside of school, as well as inside.

LatteLady · 05/04/2026 20:09

PullyDog · 05/04/2026 19:44

Afaik schools don't generally deal with things that happen outside school, if it's an on going situation, and she is being bullied in school then they will.

I'd go direct to the police in this situation though, any reason you cant do that?

Sorry, just seen your post that you have been. Great evidence for the school too then

Edited

I am afraid you are mistaken, schools continue to have a duty of care, working in concert with the parents.

@Downtheslipperyslip I am so sorry that this has happened to your daughter. When contacting the school, you need to speak to both the HT and the designated Safeguarding Lead, explain that you have also reported this to the Police as this will expedite their response. You want to ask them, what steps will be taken to safeguard your child when she is on school premises... set out your own reasonable expectations and see what happens.

You might also want to have a chat with a solicitor about whether you can take this further with the Police and ask them to prosecute, I realise that for some that this is a nuclear option, but telling you a child is known to them is not a satisfactory response. I think at this point, I would be asking the Police for a copy of their complaints procedure, too.

Badoingyface · 05/04/2026 20:10

Contact the officer in the case. Tell them that you're not happy with the way they are dealing with it and send them the screenshots. If you're still not happy with how it's dealt with then call 111 and say you want to make a complaint.

AllTeachers · 05/04/2026 20:21

Make a fuss with the police. Don't let them forget about it.

And, yes, tell school.

Has it been happening at school?

ProudCat · 05/04/2026 20:23

Another teacher. The school have a duty to ensure your child is safe in school - and if they're being attacked outside of it by fellow pupils, then the school need to put measures in place.

Sounds as if you have a complaint against the police though. The law is the law and if they have the evidence then they should be applying it.

Theverylasttwo · 05/04/2026 20:35

During one half term holiday when my son was 11/12 he was given a black eye by another boy. This boy chased my son trying to trip him up, presumably so the assault could continue. I called the police who came to our home and tried to locate the boy to speak with him and his parents. They did catch up with him but he lied that he was not the boy in question. When the school reopened the police attended and "warned" the boy about both his behaviour and lying to the police. They also attended his home to discuss with his parents. Fortunately nothing else happened.

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