Am fuming but i appreciate there might be nothing i can do - is there ?

[Hideehi]

My DD has been going to a lovely drama class on a Saturday morning for 3 years, I researched this whilst before she could walk, got her name down etc she loves it.
The class bully who tells other girls at school not play with my DD and calls her names has joined this Drama class this morning.
The Bullies little brother is in my other DD's class at school and the number of times he has pinched or pulled Tegan's hair is getting ridiculas but T gives as good as she gets and has much more confidence so I'm not as worried for her.
This could be the final straw for poor Laura she desperately needs the confidence boost being good at something and having non school friends this group gives her and I just do not know what to do ?
Hopefully this other child won't like it, but it's expensive and i cvan't see the other mother paying a term then letting them leave so we are stuck with at least 12 of weeks of this situation.

How old?
Warn the leader about the situation in passing "I think that you should know that there has been a history of X bullying T at school - could you please keep an eye on it as we'll need to nip anything in the bud please". Use the term "bully", as if nothing else it usually now gets taken seriously ime. Actually if the leader handles it well then using drama can be a highly effective way in teachig bullies about the impact of their actions.

oh i'm so sorry hideehi your poor dd

i wouldn't imagine there's much you can do i'm afraid except hope that the bully doen't like it and the class organiser doesn't allow anything nasty to go on.

is it verbal bullying or physical as well?

could you talk with drama teacher and explain situation?they may be able to come up with solution

definately speak to the drama teacher. also have you spoken to teh school? this seems to be a normal behaviour for this family as it is more than one child doing the bullying.

If the school have been made aware what are they doing?
I would push for them to take action or speak to the mother myself.

They are only six, basically the history is these two were the best of friends before xmas when my dd finally had enough of all the snidey comments and punched the bully in the head.
The other mother went to the school and complained, as you would and it all came out that this girl whilst supposely being her best friend was always making her be the dog or the boy in any games and basically excluding her at any opportunity.
The other mother told the teacher my DD intimidates her DD and yet she's put her in the same group, makes no sense does it ?

drama may be a very good way to teach this child about the harm of bullying .. role playing etc

this MIGHT be the making of them

definitely talk to the teacher and ask if she can do a variety of exercises (bonding / reflecting / role-playing) that could help the situation and make sure she keeps an eye on it

good luck

your DD punched her?

I thought the same as Ladymuck. Perhaps they could drama for them to play out reversed roles!

may work out for the best - they'll probably be best friends againt by next month.

She did and that was wrong and she has been punished but doesn't change the nonsense that had gone on before and indeed is still going on.

if they were previously friends then they more than likely will be again in a few weeks.

I am a little surprised that a mother who had those opinions about YOUR DD's behaviour would place her chidl in the same drama group. surely if she really believed her daughter had been bullied by your child she would have found an alternative drama group

I agree the drama could be used but tbh i don't pay £200 a term for my DD and this other kid to work out their issues my DD was in Oliver last year and it was the highlight of her year, it made her so happy, that's what she goes there to do not teach this other child to be nice.
I've mentioned it to the course leader, fingers crossed it all works out.

Agree with Sobernow, I am a Drama Teacher and any inappropriate behaviour should be dealt with in the class anyway.

Just make sure you check with your child that it IS being dealt with because £200 a term sounds very blimmin' expensive and private drama schools (naming no names) often employ actors (rather than teachers or experienced workshop leaders) who unfortunately don't have the training or experience of dealing with these kinds of issues.

Why don't you look around for a (cheaper) drama class attached to a theatre or community centre if she isn't happy this term?

It is attached to a theatre, it's a very famous school and it seems to have worked out ok this week at least.
Fingers crossed.

My husband runs similar classes.

I would imagine that any new child would start on a trial basis so as you say this child may not take to it. However they do have just as much right as your dd to attend these classes, you can not expect the class to turn her away because of issues at school.

I would not object to a parent having a quiet word to let me know there is a history between the two girls. This means that the teacher can keep an extra eye out, make sure they work in different groups initially etc. However as someone else has said outside issues should not be a factor unless they intrude into the class.

We have a behaviour policy and all students are expected to conform to our rules which means strictly no bullying. The structure of our classes and the level of supervision leaves very little leeway for bullying as it happens, unlike at school where there are up to 35 in a class and long breaktimes.

Does your daughter's school have a Principal or Manager who does not teach but who keeps a watchful eye on all proceedings and makes sure everything is OK, as ours does?

first thing to do is to speak to the class teache and let them know what is going on at school.
I hope the bully drops out, good luck