Appropriate sanction for a punch in the face?

[DoneShouting]

I feel so angry and let down right now. My DD moved to a new school (same area) in March due to bullying at her previous school which had severe impact on her mental health. She finally seemed to be settling into her new school and making progress but she has had a falling out with another girl over a boy, causing a friend group split. The other girl has been telling untruths and making accusations about DD. I have spoken to the school and thought it was starting to die down. But yesterday a third girl (friend of the other girl and ex-friend of DD) threatened DD at lunch time and after school, just outside the school gates, approached her yelling names and saying DD had stared at her and punched DD in the eye while she was on the phone to me. I heard the attack and there was a teacher who witnessed it.
Needless to say I left work and went directly to the school where I was assured that statements would be taken this morning and the girl would be dealt with seriously. This afternoon I received an update from the school to say they have taken it seriously, thoroughly investigated, isolated the girl today and have excluded her for ONE day!!! I have expressed my dissatisfaction - I expected more. Am i being unreasonable to expect greater sanction - I want the group of friends to know it is completely unacceptable, currently they just think she's clever and I feel she has gotten away with it. Now we have to deal with the impact on DD's anxiety and self esteem again. What is an appropriate sanction for punching someone in the face? I have a crime ref on file but the police wanted the school to handle it.

That's not bullying - it's assault and you should have reported it to the police. In fact, there's still time - report it, otherwise it gives the message that assault is acceptable.

Oh, I see you did report it - escalate it with the police - it's a criminal offence so they can't just shrug it off.

Agree - police need to take it more seriously - ring them and insist they take action

Police, police, police. Press charges. It's the only way. You wanna step up and batter someone in broad daylight in front of witnesses you better be ready to face the sodding consequences. Vile horrible girl deserves to be pulled up sharp and scared witless by a visit from her local bobby. And if the police drag their feet (they can be appallingly shite) threaten IPCC early on and talk about dereliction of duty complaints that you will submit if they don't investigate and action according to the crime committed.

F the police wanting the school to handle it - lazy sods! It's a criminal offence. It took place outside of the actual school property (is that right?). You have the right to have it investigated as the criminal matter that it is - Assault.

Make them do their jobs.

It's assault inside school as well

Recently near me a child was assaulted at lunch time - and he Calle dye police himself - it was sorted in school fairly quickly and seriously

Astro Yes I know, I was just imagining the PC Plod conversation "Well it was at school" (irrelevant) to which I'd be saying yes it was but it's still assault but if it makes you feel better, it happened on the pavement outside, does that make you feel better PC Plod?!!

Honestly, I am going to tell my DD today if anyone ever does anything like that to her to call the police immediately and then me. School can tag along behind those processes as far as I'm concerned.

Why in God's NAME do we let this stuff slide - it's ASSAULT!

God, it makes me SO angry and frustrated! (And it's not even my child it's happened to - massive social exclusion was my DDs particular suffering but Jeez, full on punch to the face in front of other people just cannot go unpunished under the terms of the law).

Shame on every single school who dumbs this down. Perpetrator should be made to stand in assembly and be made a proper fool of.

This is interesting. Ds came home and told me he'd been hit in the face and head last week. Got straight on to it with one of the deputy heads. School have given warnings. Today he's been deliberately shoved so he's landed face down in a patch of mud. He came home filthy and apologising to me for giving me the extra washing

We've never had this before - he had a lovely primary school so I had no idea what to expect. Secondary is a different ball game for a child with mild asd. I'll be pushing it all a bit harder seeing your responses though!

Op, my sympathy, it's awful to see your child going through this.

I'll be pushing it all a bit harder

You need to. Don't allow yourself to be fobbed off by the school. Bullying ruins peoples' lives and don't let anyone tell you "it's all part of growing up" or "he needs to toughen up", etc - they're just trying to deflect the blame from their own lack of control/discipline.

I was bullied throughout my secondary school life. It ruined my education, it ruined my social skills. It's basically effected my entire adult life. No-one gave me any support - teachers said it was just harmless horseplay, parents (in those days) respected the teachers and didn't want to cause a fuss. In the end, I spent all lessons worrying about what abuse I'd get at the next break. During breaks I'd try to hide.

You HAVE TO insist that your child is given protection by the teachers and school management. Don't be afraid of going to the governors if action isn't taken. Bullying ruins lives!