DS having repeated nosebleeds so that school will send him home

[dilligaf]

my ds (11) is continually being sent home from school with nosebleeds. I took him to the GP and he feels that he is causing them by picking at his nose until it bleeds so that school will send him home. He has never liked school and missed some of the autumn term due to bullying. We thought that this was resolved and spring term passed without incident. He told the GP that a gang of boys are bullying him and thats why he wants to come home. School are supportive but I am not sure they can deal with this as I have mentioned problems with the ringleader in the past and they seem to dismiss it as normal school life. Has anyone else had a similar experience and if how was it resolved?

not personally, no, but if you ask on the home ed thread, or on one of the home ed email lists, you will encounter any number of families where the children were self-harming before they got deregistered from school.

Send in writing a letter stating that a nosebleed is not a reason for sending your child home and you do not authorise this.

They cannot send him home unless you agree to it and you just say no - put him in the medical room and basic first aid will sort it out.

Ask for investigation into bullying and a plan of action, and a copy of anti-bullying policy

Firstly my DS has loads of nose bleeds, and has never been sent home (apart from once in nursery). Yes, he does pick his nose but the school just get him to sit quietly until it's stopped.

Secondly, the school most certainly should not dismiss this behaviour as normal school life. . The school need to deal with this.

Is your DS in year 6 or 7?

Thanks everyone for all the replies- have been out so not checked computer. I am going into school on Monday and hopefully we will be able to sort both issues out as they are definitely linked. He is in Year 6 at the moment. Its a very good school so I am optimistic that they will want to resolve this.

I'm surprised that they would send a y6 child home for a nosebleed. My Y4 DS has occasional nosebleeds, and school don't even tell me. He just sits quietly for a bit, then carries on as normal.
If it were severe enough to need sending home, then surely it would be too severe to travel home alone?

To be honest, if this were my child I would move him. He's 'harming' himself because he's too afraid to stay at school. It's not normal behaviour, he's shouting out that he's really unhappy and he wants you to help him. Sorry, just find him a different school.