Your suggestions please

[Raginghistorically]

My fifteen year old returned to school today for small group lessons, having been offered one morning a week between now and the summer break. On his way out of lessons, another boy grabbed him, coughed in his face and told him he now had Coronavirus. He was upset and spent over an hour in the shower when he returned home. Obviously, I am not bothering the school over this one, but can you advise my son what the correct response to this behaviour should have been? Something he could have said to ensure the other boy was stopped in his tracks, or something witty and cutting?

Obviously, I am not bothering the school over this one

Why on earth not??

I am not one for over reacting, but I would have been straight on the phone / email about that.
I strongly suggest you contact school this morning.
The other boy should have the riot act read to him and also not be allowed back this term.
It is either a misplaced joke (in which case the boy is not mature enough to be back) or, more likely, it was an attempt at bullying/intimidation, in which case her should not be allowed back either.

My DD is due to go back for a week. She is anxious enough as it is (as in I'm not sure she'll make it through the front gates), that incident would set her back months.

I would definitely be bothering the school over this one.

I am with TeenPlusTwenties the school need to know and take appropriate action. People have been jailed for doing that so the boy needs to urgently be spoken to for both others and his own benefit.

I'm not one for 'bothering the school' usually, but in this instance I absolutely would be! My 15 year old was back in school on Monday and we had a home school agreement sent home that made it clear any behaviour like that was instant suspension. Tell the school.

(ps. His correct response should have been to immediately report it to the teacher in charge.)

Tell the school please.

Yep. Most schools are (rightly) giving the message of being very strict on inappropriate behaviour with regards to social distancing etc. I would expect this to be acted on.

The kid was probably pissing about, but how does he know he hasn’t got it?

Am also bemused by the idea your DS could have stopped him in his tracks if only he’d been witty enough. From what you’ve said this kid grabbed him without warning. When was he supposed to have said something?

WHy on earth would you not bother the school about this one?

Secondary teacher here: please tell the school. They will come down hard on the boy who did this.

I would 100% contact the school. Apart from being a form of bullying, it my well be if this person gets away with it once, they will do something worse. From past experience I would strongly advise putting the matter to the school in writing and mention the words; 'bullying','stress' and ;affecting your sons mental health'
Depending on the school, I would suspect they will jump to respond, as they are three words which they really don't want to hear.

Obviously, I am not bothering the school over this one, but can you advise my son what the correct response to this behaviour should have been?

Telling a teacher.

Something he could have said to ensure the other boy was stopped in his tracks, or something witty and cutting?

No. School need to know about this. People have been arrested for such behaviours. A witty put down is less than adequate.

In advance of years 10 and 12 going back in, DS2's school sent out an updated behaviour policy with regard to the specific requirements wrt the current situation.

This never happened.

Why aren't you northern g school - people have been charged with this as it's an offence.

Immediate suspension at my child’s school for doing this. Definitely tell them

Please tell the school. If it happens again, they may say why didn't you tell us the first time.

Our kids are anxious enough with children being so immature .

Plus his form tutor can comfort him before he goes back to school again.

I am more worried about his mental well and if it was my child he would probably say I am not going in again!

Please please tell the teacher

Thank you to all who replied. Clearly the correct action was to inform the school and you were all right to tell me this. As I result, I have e mailed the school. Thank you all for your contributions. Your advice was appreciated and acted upon.

Def right action to contact the school. Please tell us what their response has been.

Hi,

How is your son? Is he okay?

School phoned to say that the Headteacher would be attending the start of every one of the first lessons of new returners to explain the seriousness of the Coronavirus measures and the standards of behaviour expected during the catch up classes. Son is fine but we have decided he is not returning to school until September. We are, of course, ensuring that he is following a suitable programme of education daily and completing all work set by the school. He is attending the one weekly online live lesson he is being offered. Thank you for being kind enough to ask.

School phoned to say that the Headteacher would be attending the start of every one of the first lessons of new returners to explain the seriousness of the Coronavirus measures and the standards of behaviour expected during the catch up classes. Son is fine but we have decided he is not returning to school until September. We are, of course, ensuring that he is following a suitable programme of education daily and completing all work set by the school. He is attending the one weekly online live lesson he is being offered. Thank you for being kind enough to ask.

Hi

Am glad he is okay and to be honest I would be the same.

Take care