Child nearly thrown into the road want the hell do I do?

[Mrssjo]

Hello, my 11 year old DS has been struggling in his high school since he started in September. His pencil case is routinely taken and hidden, his pens taken and held up in the air so he can't reach them, his books are written in, he is picked on and mocked ' if I have to hear your stupid voice again I'm going to punch you in the face'. All this happens during lessons and although he has reported it to his teachers nothing has been done. I've been into school and was told by the head I was just creating a stereotype of what children are like in lower sets, but they would get someone from pastoral to speak to my son. This hasn't happened and today whilst waiting at the bus stop two children from his year got him in a head lock, tried to take his feet from under and started trying to push him into the road, thankfully and coincidentally the deputy head was driving past and witnessed what was happening, she stopped her car and told the boys off. So what would you do? My initial reaction is to not let him go in tomorrow, and keep him off until school actually do something to sort this out.

Definitely, whatever you do, do not allow your son to be exposed to this. You're absolutely right to keep him off school until steps are taken to nip this in the bud immediately. They have a responsibility to protect children from bullying, which is why schools have bullying policies. I would quote them their own policy and force them to follow it! If you get nowhere then I would take it to a higher level. But nobody should be subjected to what he's going through, and you shouldn't be in a position of having to expose him to this. It's incredibly damaging and you hear terrible stories of children this age committing suicide. I'm not saying your son will, but it does happen, and so should be taken extremely seriously. This type of experience is extremely damaging and can torment people throughout their entire adult life. You are completely right to follow your instincts and protect him.

Sorry your DS is going through this. The school sound completely rubbish. My DS had similar problems in Yr 7, we contacted his tutor and Head of Year by email and copied in the Head, they immediately got back to us (the Head emailed me that evening!) and they arranged for their Anti Bullying Coordinator to investigate. All the bullies were given sanctions, and all parents of the bullies informed. DS was also given a book to record any further incidents, and told he should go and tell the teacher immediately if any more problems.
Luckily there have been no more problems.
In all honesty, given your school's complacency with this, I'd be looking for another school.

I would be knocking on the deputy head's door tomorrow. If she witnessed the actual event she can hardly deny there is a problem.

I would not let my child go back to a school where he was being bullied by others who are capable of carrying out such a dangerous assault.

Creating a stereotype? What utter bollocks. How terrible. Anti bullying policy means nothing?

Ask for an appointment with the deputy head as you are considering going to the police.

Oh your poor ds.

I'd definitely keep him off school tomorrow,and in the morning call the school to say your son will not be returning until you have a meeting with the head and get a plan of action in place so to speak.

If the school are unwilling to do anything then perhaps think about moving schools?

No child should have to go through this.

Keep your son at home until the school can gurantee his safety and well-being.

Good luck to you and your DS.

Thank you for all your replies, we are already on the waiting list for the other high school in out area so fingers crossed we won't have to wait too much longer for a place. I will keep him off tomorrow, maybe that will make the school act. I'm so lucky the deputy head was driving passes, firstly because goodness knows what would have happened if they had carried on pushing him and secondly because now a senior member of staff has witnessed with their own eyes what is happening to my son they surely cannot deny there is a problem.

Mrs sjo

Random thoughts as your son year 7
Did you lost the out of catchment high school and not get it.

As you can appeal any time.
Think you have good grounds child safety.

Not sure how much movement this time of year.

Can you apply in year admissions for other school.
Get rejected then appeal to try and by pass waiting too long.

Hope current schools take it seriously ans sort it.
Hope your son ok.

Mine starts yr 7 next year and bullying my biggest fears.

But unsure if you Scotland and admissions different.

England and Wales half term here this week