Help Preparing for a Meeting

[adognamedhog]

I need some advice...

DD was attacked by another child in school (hit, hair pulled, arm twisted round etc). The children were friends but were having a minor argument over a small thing and the boy seemed to go into some sort of meltdown.

As far as we can sumise (though were not be officially told), the child received a fixed term exclusion. He is now back in class and DD is struggling. She is clearly frightened of him and he is being openly hostile to her. Keeps spreading rumours and saying she needs to apologise etc.

DD is now getting distressed on a regular basis and we have a meeting with her school tomorrow. They have reassured us plans are in place to keep her safe but we are not seeing any evidence of it and she is in quite a state.

Thanks for reading that far. Just after advice what I should be asking the school, expecting from them etc as this is all new territory?

Normally, after a fixed term exclusion, the child will have been given a behaviour contract where he will be expected to adhere to expected behaviour norms in order to avoid further discipline. Parents are made aware of it when he’s reintroduced to school. However some DC just won’t be able to conform and adjust their behaviour. It can take a long time and he now realises he has a certain amount of power over your DD.

Therefore you should ask that this DS is closely monitored and ensure your DD has someone to speak to if she feels vulnerable. The staff should all be aware of her feelings and she could have a named member of staff to see at lunch/breaks if necessary. She could also be allocated a couple of pupil buddies to stay with. Are her friends not supporting her? She also needs to avoid this boy. Can that be engineered? Seating arrangements? Play arrangements? Lunch arrangements etc.

I wouldn’t get involved with how the school disciplined the child. That’s their business and they didn’t ignore it. But intimidation is bullying and the school must act.

Thanks. That's really helpful