Bully threatens to stab my son in the heart

[Thomasgaler]

A pupil with a documented history of bullying made a direct threat to stab my son in the heart. This threat was overheard by another child in the class and reported.

The threat was not made in the heat of the moment. It occurred a week after my son reported the same pupil for bullying, following which the school intervened. The timing strongly suggests the threat was retaliatory and revenge with no remorse.

The pupil has an extensive record of behavioural incidents, and when questioned by the school, he admitted to planning the attack.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, the school chose not to expel him or impose any disciplinary measures (not even detention), stating they “did not want to provoke him into doing something worse”.

We requested that the boys be separated, as my son continues to feel unsafe — the pupil still pushes him, gives him intimidating looks, and has said he is waiting for my son to make a mistake so he can react. The school refused, saying it is in the best interests of both boys to remain in their current classes.

the school also said it may not be the best idea to go to police because it might make the situation worse

I feel so bad for my son and I also feel so helpless.

Do you consider the school’s refusal to separate them appropriate?

If this was my child they would not be going to school again until appropriate action was taken- this would include reporting to the police and the boy being suspended- that is a serious threat and he is at risk. I am a pretty relaxed parent and this would be my reaction (and should be yours). Imagine if something happened to him? You need to advocate for his safety.

This is disgusting and disgraceful of the school , they’re acting like they’re fearful of the bully too! What are bully family like? Could you talk to parents or are they a no go?

I’d be straight to the police and get a restraining order against this bully. Sod schools ‘best interests of both” nonsense.

I would absolutely be reporting that to the police, and also instructing a solicitor to write to the school re their duty to your son.

For crying out loud the school are being ridiculous. I would go to the police.

Id move schools.

This is a huge safeguarding concern, if I were you I would be notifying the police, the governors and the local authority. Your poor child!

I would not be sending my child back to that school. Would you go somewhere every day with that sort of threat over you?
The schools hands are tied. Yours aren't.

Go to the police and move schools

Exactly this.

Contact the police. Dont overthink this. This is a police matter.

Unfortunately for GDPR reasons I can’t say much about the boys family but reaching out to the other family likely won’t work because there maybe wider issues.

We have reached out to the police and again can’t say much but the police thinks the children should be separated and the action of the boy is extremely serious as to not be brushed aside but their investigation has just started and this means the risk for my son exists. We just told the school that the police thinks the boys should separated but we don’t think the school will do this because the initial decision not to separate was made by the headmaster and I feel like he doesn’t want to admit he is wrong.

I’d go to the police too. The school has made it clear they’re not going to do anything. I’d also be looking at moving schools.

Ring the police. Plus I wouldn’t be sending my child back into school until I had some proper guarantees from them.

So sorry you and your son is going through this, he needs to be safe at school and you need to know he’s safe, he needs to know you’ve got his back. I’ve been here with my daughter, I withdrew her from school once physical threats started and the school did nothing about the bullies. She changed schools, best thing we did, she quickly made new friends, I don’t believe she thinks about it much now and it is firmly behind her, however it might have been a different story had we not acted quickly and got her out.

I'd tell them I'd be going to the police, and ask whether they think not punishing a student because you're afraid of provoking them sends a good message.

How old are they both?

If you have already involved the police I would make a compliant to the local education authority. It is a serious safeguarding issue and should be treated as such. The school has a duty of care to your child and your child has a right to feel safe at school.

I would keep him off and go to the police. I would also be doing the formal complaint process to get that kid expelled. Wtf are they thinking

I would go to the police, the governors, ofsted anyone who could help me

Definitely the police. No school until satisfactory action is taken. Put everything in writing

Remove your child from the school and report the school to the governors and/or the local authority if it is an LA school. Go to the press. After what happened in Sheffield a couple of years ago this should NOT be happening now. A threat like that (especially with the previous history) should be grounds for expulsion.

Schools so often say they take a zero tolerance approach to shit like this then fail to follow it up.

thank you. I just think it is so unfair that my son has to quit the school he loves and the boy who threaten to murder him has not a single punishment from the school

i do have faith in the police in this matter (but it will take time) but why does the school let this happen.

i don’t want to give in but feel like that is my only choice.

Knowing ages/ key stage would be helpful OP.

Official written complaint to school, governors and local authority/academy trust, go over the head. Sadly, you may need to move your son to another school to ensure his safety, even though you shouldn't have to.

my Som and the boy are both 14 year old.

we have just drafted a complaints to the governor but again this takes 10 days to act