Violence at secondary school

[mahonia7]

Hi

A child has been making my ds's life very difficult at school in the past week. He has attacked him three times in school with teachers as witnesses. The fourth attack was outside school (child waiting for my son). He tried to push my ds into the road.

Any advice gratefully received. This child is much bigger than my son and in one of the attacks in school picked up 6" metal staples and tried to go for my ds.

We are worried for his safety on Monday. We've had advice from police and they say they will get involved if school don't do anything.

Can I keep my ds off school until the school can guarantee his safety?

M

I had a similar situation with my ds1. He was attacked by 2 older boys on the school bus. I got the police involved straight away because they held a compass to his face and threatened to put it in his eye before a 6th former pulled them off.

I spoke to his head of year who put me in contact with the teacher responsible for discipline. He was very helpful and spoke to the boys involved leaving them in no doubt that this wouldn't be tolerated. They were excluded for a week and banned from using the school bus that my son used. Since this happened these boys avoid ds1 like the plague so I'm happy that it was dealt with correctly.

It's a horrible feeling knowing you're sending your child to school to be put in danger and if you are sending him in encourage him to stay in a group and not on his own.

Should have mentioned that the boys were arrested, but this took a month because ds1 had to give a video statement and that took time to organise. They were cautioned by the police and I think them being picked up by police cars and taken to the police station had the desired effect.

What have the school done mahonia7? Have there been any sanctions placed on the other boy, isoloation or whatever. Do you have a copy of their bullying policy?

Make it clear to school that if they do not act to protect your son that you will involve the police further.

Contact the school, and let them sort it out, it is their responsibility, unless the incidents happen outside school.