My son was threatened with a knife at school yesterday

[PlumpRumpSoggyBaps]

The first I heard of it was when he rang after school, told me he'd been threatened with a knife and caould he bring his friend home to tell me about it.

Of course I said yes and spent twenty worried minutes imagining flick knives, Bowie knives etc.

Anyway it turns out that some boy in the year below him pulled this penknife out of his pocket and said to ds1 that he was going to 'f*ing shank' him. He was standing in a group of boys and ds1 was with a few friends of his own. So, plenty of witnesses on both sides.

Ds1 and bf reported the incident straightaway to a teacher, who told ds1 to bring the boy to her (rather than go with him to the boy who's just threatened him.) When he told her the bot shouldn't have a knife in school she said that 'perhaps he didn't know he shouldn't have a knife in school'. I was astonished at both these things, myself.

Ds1 and his bf have made statements. We then got a call at 4 pm from the year 7 tutor (that's the year below ds1) saying they were puruing this to its furthest extent but that ds1 and bf's statements differed. Also that they had been calling the other group of boys names. Ds1 abd bf denied this.

So. There's a couple of things here.

1. Am I right in feeling I should complain about the first teacher's handling of the incident?
2. Should I expect this boy to be suspended?
3. Given that the incident happened just before midday, shouldn't I have had a phone call sooner?

I'm waiting for a call back from ds1's year tutor to discuss it with her. Is this the correct procedure, do you think? Or should I go straight to the headmaster? (who rarely seems to be troubled with contact with parents/ problems with students)

Ds1 is 13, btw.

Aargh. Sorry about typos!!

Yes go straight to the headmaster.

Go to see the headmaster and take with you in writing a copy of your allegations( and on it ask what action they will take ask for a reply by next weds at the latest )if you are not satisfied by the heads response address the envelope to the chair of the governors and hand it directly to school and ask for a receipt.

You are within your rights to report this to the police if you wanted.

No matter what names were being called knives in school is very wrong.

That sounds unacceptable. Personally, I'd wait until you hear from the year tutor before taking it to the head as the tutor may be treating it more seriously and liaising with the head anyway - but if they don't, definitely take it to the head. Even if your son & friend were calling the other group names that's irrelevant - calling names is normal behaviour at that age, pulling a knife on and threatening someone is not. Do the school really want to convey the idea that there can be any excuse for this?

At around the same age, a couple of lads set my son's (long) hair on fire on the way home from school. I think they just expected to singe it and thankfully when the flames appeared they patted the flames out and DS2 didn't realise what had happened until they were out. Just imagine if he'd been wearing hair gel though...

I rang the school straight away, the next day the boys had a thorough talking to and were made to work in the hall, and their parents were contacted. The school made it clear that I was free to contact the police if I wanted but as they seemed to be genuinely shocked at what they had done I didn't.

In your case, however, as the school don't seem to be treating this as a serious incident, I'd suggest contacting the police. I'm sure you can make it clear that you're only interested in the children being made to realise how serious this is rather than pressing charges (unless, of yourse, you do want to press charges).

Oh thank you for all your replies. I'll write a letter straightaway. I found it all rather shocking that it was handled like this, almost as if it were nothing, and I suppose it caused me to wonder if I was overreacting. I'm glad you don't think I am.

You would think a teacher would know that a person of that age carrying a knife either in or out of school is acting illegally

I would ask to see head of year and ht or deputy head today by phoning the receptionist.
The circumstances of the quarrel aren't the issue but THE KNIFE IS.
The boy should be suspended,the school should tell you how they deal with knives as a weapon in school.

It is illegal to buy a knife under 18,and to carry one with intent at any age and the sentencing is strict i think.
Say you will take this matter to the police which i think you should.

Personally I would refer it to the Police

Ring school now. Check whether the offender is in school today. The school have a duty of care to keep their students safe. Quote that phrase if you have to. If the offender is in school go and collect your son and go straight to the police.

Actually I'd report it to the police anyway. I've worked in very rough institutions where carrying knives was not unknown. At the first sign of a weapon the police were called and the student was off the premises, provocation or no provocation.

I actually think this is a police matter.

the school would soon sit up and take notice then!!

Plump is your son in school today?

Sorry for the gap- had mum and sis over.

Right. I've had a phone call back from ds1's year tutor. Ds1 is in school and has another interview with another teacher. The boy with the knife is ALSO in school in 'withdrawal'. I asked why he was in school as the knife had been confiscated, I was told it was 'policy' until the 'procedures' had been fully followed. Ds1's year tutor also said she didn't know the full story but then said she and the year 7 tutor were working together on this one.

I asked what punishment the boy would be having, as I assumed that having a knife on school premises would be an instant suspension, and was told that I wouldn't be told what punishment he would get as it wasn't (guess what) school policy. I asked what the guidelines said was appropriate punishment and she didn't seem to know if there were any guidelines.

I then asked what information I could expect to receive next. Just a response from the head, she said.

When I told her about the teacher who told ds1 to fetch the boy with the knife etc, she kind of glossed over it. So I said well it sounds to me as if she doesn't know what she's doing, whereupon she said that that was 'a bit strong'!! (Not in my book. That was very restrained and polite, in my book.)

I mentioned the police and she said of course that was my right and that the police would meet with the school and it would go from there.

TBH I feel like I'm being fobbed off here. She said that the parents of the boy in question were 'very aware and co-operative'. But I'm angry that I won't be told if he's been punished appropriately - or rather, that he has been suspended, I suppose.

Sorry. DS1 has had another interview.
I haven't been told what went on in that meeting.

Go to the police. The laws of the land apply inside the school grounds as well as outside, however hard many head Teachers try to deny it.

By going to the police yourself it becomes an incident independant of the school. The offender's punishment (if any) will not depend on what the school decides.

Schools try to avoid suspension wherever possible because it reflects badly in their OFSTED reports. By keeping the offender in the school they are failing to provide a safe environment for your son and others. If you fail to get a satisfactory answer from the Head, write a formal complaint to the Board of Govenors and the LEA.

More update.

The woman that ds1 first went to is not a teacher but an inclusion and student services advisor, or something. Has anyone heard of one of these?

I think she is a student support officer sort of a pastoral carer ,,,,,,either way even the lollipop lady would know its not the 'done thing' for the boy who has been threatened with the nife to go and get the boy with the knife .....very poor show imo- I would fone the police and i would tell your ds not to answer anymore questions until you are with him - school will try and gloss it over.

My ds2 had a fight with another pupil at 9am by 10.15 statements were taken and ds2 was excluded - it seems to me schools can do what they want and it wouldnt surprise me if that boys family have 'connections'within the school.

go to the police. totally unacceptable behaviour by the school.

this is ridiculous
a police inquiry is confidential,not the actions taken by school.
get advice from the police,you have every right as your child was threatened and you want to know if there might be any more trouble at school from the other boy.