A, Cumbria

My son was being bullied by a gang of 6 boys. The year head was aware of it and her answer was to put them in a classroom together "to talk it out". This was a regular thing which in turn meant my son was bullied more. The gang would hit and kick him, take his belongings including his glasses, throw his things in a bin, forcing him to do things or getting attacked. He ended up with a few broken bones and many bruises. On one occasion the school had taken him to hospital with suspected broken ribs, again no punishment for the lads. My son eventually fought back, and he was suspended from school for 2 weeks "to think about what he had done". The gang got no punishment.

We went to the return to school meeting with the safeguarding lead, whose comment to me (Mum) was "I don't know why you're so angry about this it's the 1st instance of bullying and fighting and we don't allow it." I WENT MAD! I wanted to know why the gang had got away with no punishment, he couldn't answer me. I handed him 2 pages of A4 paper with times, dates and injuries my son had sustained including the above ribs. He had no idea of any of this and went and spoke to the year head. His answer was the same as the year heads "they are boys being boys, it will be fine!" Errr no it wont!

Linked to the above meeting i handed the safeguarding lead a letter saying that i was removing my son from the school and going to home educate him as they can't keep him safe in their setting which they have a duty of care to do. I was told i was over-reacting!

My son has been home educated since October 2021. He is so much happier. It took a long time for him to trust others in the home ed community and make friends.

Act on bullying and take it seriously
Punish all involved and not just the victim
CCTV in classrooms and corridors