Teacher's advice on bullying and CPOMS and FOI

[pinkrocker]

Would appreciate some advice from a teacher's pov please (I'm a supply teacher but thankfully not at my Dad's ). My DD's been bullied by a girl since Y9, not physically but mentally, on social media by telling others not to talk to her, saying mean things, interrupting conversations my daughter's having with others by barging in between them, talking over her.

It's been reported to her High school COUNTLESS times. Their response is "they'll keep an eye on the situation". Nothing's been done. Ever. So my DD hides in classrooms with teachers at break and lunchtimes and is very withdrawn, now has few friends as the bully just influences them.

Now my daughter is going into Sixth form and we've just found out the bully has chosen the same options. School are offering my DD alternatives so she won't be near the bully.

Is this right? That my daughter's choice of A Level must be influenced by the fact her school can't keep her safe? What about if my DD wanted to actually study what she wanted!

Can I ask for a FOI copy of all that's been documented on CPOMS for the past 3 years? As I don't think ANYTHING has been taken seriously, if at all documented.
What do I do next? I've told the school how furious I am, but they don't seem to care. Chair of Governors? Meeting with the HT?

Ps I can't suggest to my DD that she goes to 6th form college as an alternative as she's so withdrawn, anxious, quiet and scared of public transport, going the wrong way, getting the wrong bus, she'd hate that more than being in the class with the bully.

How utterly stressful for you and your DD.

They must take steps to protect her from this bullying and, no, she should not have to do different subjects!

I'm not sure how seeing files will resolve anything really. First step, to me, would be headteacher. They can look in the files, and speak to key staff. You should make sure there is a paper trail.

I agree with @Piggywaspushed. So awful OP, I'm sorry for you and your DD.

I don’t know about the foi side.

I would speak to the school, headteacher ideally and state that your dad will be taking the subjects she chooses and ask how the school is going to protect her. Stand firm. Don’t leave until you’ve been given some clear ideas which you can come to later if needed. No wishy washy “we’ll keep and eye”. Keep an eye on what? And what will you do if you see these behaviours, then list the behaviours you are unhappy with. Speak to the school daily. Become their problem. The wheel who squeaks the loudest etc. good luck.

Thank you. I'll arrange to meet with the HT then, good idea. I was hoping a FOI would tell me if anything at all had been documented on CPOMS, I just doubt it, sadly.

You can do a subject access request (or your daughter can, in the tricky age between compulsory school age and adult). Look at the complaint policy and follow it, normally complaint to headteacher, then if not satisfied to chair of governors (who forms a panel to investigate). Assume the only option is this school or college, no other schools (wouldn't suggest it, if she had a close group of friends).

Interrupting conversations and talking over her is not really bullying. Telling others not to talk to your dd is. However, at 16, teenagers will decide who they want to be friends with. Her friends should be supporting her. Why aren't they?
You can ask for records but I am not sure what pouring over three years of this kind of thing is going to do for your dd.
Personally, if my dd had no friends and this other girl was impacting her mental health, I would encourage my dd to move elsewhere regardless.

You have a right to see any logs written about your daughter though the names of other children would be redacted.