Possible suspension at school

[Luciaslobster]

Hi
advice needed please.
DD got into a fight in classroom today by girl who has been physically attacking her for a while now. Each time DD has reported her the teachers say the girl has special needs and can’t express herself properly. Today after weeks of being slapped around the head, kicked in the back, and thrown into mud DD hit back. School have hinted that she might be suspended now. I understand that fighting is wrong but this was yet again initiated by the other (much bigger) girl and DD was defending herself.
We’re worried about what this means now as daughter has never had any problems at school and not sure what this means going forward or if it goes in her record?
do we appeal or just go ok along with it?
thanks

Schools have a zero tolerance on violence. So I think you're right that a fixed term exclusion is possible.

I'd fight it. The other girl clearly hasn't been given that punishment. Her special needs is not a good enough reason to not give her consequences. Definitely mention to them that they haven't safeguarded your child against repeated violence despite her following process of reporting it. Unacceptable. This is repeated bullying of your DD. Repeated provocation. Absolutely fight it.

Is there CCTV footage of what happened?

Would have thought they would have decided by end of day if they were going to suspend . I would write an email to year head .

Poor DD, hope she and you are ok xx

If your DD is suspended, there should be a reintegration meeting. During this meeting, I would express that you want your DD permanently separated from the other girl to prevent other incidents of this kind. If the school are not able to agree to this, then ask for a risk assessment which explains how they will prevent physical harm to your daughter if she is not able to defend herself.

In general, a one off suspension shouldn't cause your DD any problems going forward, but it may prove an opportunity to ensure your daughter is kept safe in the future.

If the school takes no action, and then similar happens again, I would definitely appeal all future suspensions.

Do you have a diary of the other incidents and to whom / how these were reported. If the other girl can share the classroom, then, unless she has a learning support assistant with her (which I doubt, but does she have a EHCP for the teacher to mention special needs?), then the issue is the behaviour is not being managed by the teacher and the well-being of your daughter is being put at harm, alongside her ability to thrive in the classroom. Ask what measures will be put into place to ensure that your daughter is not the continued target of this bullying and physical abuse, as you are concerned about it escalating and I'dbe worried about long term physical harm to your daughter in this not being dealt with. Given this behaviour has been repeatedly reported and it was only when your daughter took matters into her own hands to defend herself that it seems now to be being dealt with. Special needs is not an excuse for bullying or physical attacks on other pupils and I would ask for evidence and how the school is going to address the behaviour of the other child too, as allowing this could result in a serious issue further down the line. Get written responses to all of this and do not just be put off with a talk, get the evidence. If you feel you are being ignored, then raise with the governors or the local authority, as neither your daughter or the child with special needs is being given the support and care within the classroom they should be.