Parent, UK
My stories
My School Story
My son who was 9 years at the time had been bullied for almost 2 years.
I had gone to class teachers, head teachers, the academy of which the school is part of and even Ofsted. Yet still nothing was done or even steps taken.
My sons mental health began to suffer. At such a young age he was returning on talking about how worthless he was and how he wanted to die. He had nightmares nearly every night. I spoke to the school and still nothing was done. In fact I was told my son was attention seeking and while I was present my son was told to toughen up and grow a pair. This was by the mental health appointed staff member and the head stood by hearing this and once more ignored the whole issue.
Due to a continuation of my sons mental health suffering further. My GP diagnosed mental health and anxiety due to school setting.
Providing a letter to cover absence while he took steps to improve and then a letter requesting a phased returned or a possible option of flexible schooling. The head found this unacceptable and actually refused both letters.
This is what led to the decision to de-register and take steps to Elective Home Education route.
My son at this time wasn't the only child in his class going through hell. In fact 5 children left his class within a 6 months time period.
Despite all this 2 years away from the school and he still suffers trauma.
He will not go out walking to the shop or friends when children are either going to or from school because of fear of seeing the children that bullied him or being harmed by them.
He will only go to the local park while children are in school.
This just proves that you can remove a child from the cause but you can never remove the scars that others have caused in the broken system they call school.
The school and system the government created and trust is the one that broke my child...home ed gave my child back his life and laughter.
I had gone to class teachers, head teachers, the academy of which the school is part of and even Ofsted. Yet still nothing was done or even steps taken.
My sons mental health began to suffer. At such a young age he was returning on talking about how worthless he was and how he wanted to die. He had nightmares nearly every night. I spoke to the school and still nothing was done. In fact I was told my son was attention seeking and while I was present my son was told to toughen up and grow a pair. This was by the mental health appointed staff member and the head stood by hearing this and once more ignored the whole issue.
Due to a continuation of my sons mental health suffering further. My GP diagnosed mental health and anxiety due to school setting.
Providing a letter to cover absence while he took steps to improve and then a letter requesting a phased returned or a possible option of flexible schooling. The head found this unacceptable and actually refused both letters.
This is what led to the decision to de-register and take steps to Elective Home Education route.
My son at this time wasn't the only child in his class going through hell. In fact 5 children left his class within a 6 months time period.
Despite all this 2 years away from the school and he still suffers trauma.
He will not go out walking to the shop or friends when children are either going to or from school because of fear of seeing the children that bullied him or being harmed by them.
He will only go to the local park while children are in school.
This just proves that you can remove a child from the cause but you can never remove the scars that others have caused in the broken system they call school.
The school and system the government created and trust is the one that broke my child...home ed gave my child back his life and laughter.
My Home Ed Story
My son has been home educated now almost 2 years and the positive impact it has had, is nothing short of amazing.
Academically he has overcome struggles especially in his English learning.
He is working above average in maths working roughly a year ahead of his age.
The most important thing for us is that his mental health has improved so much, confidence and self - esteem has massively grown and with that he is happier and more content then he ever was in school.
He is able to follow his passions more those being football and mixed martial arts (a brown belt in just years)
Home educating gave me my son back and I only wish I had taken the step sooner.
Academically he has overcome struggles especially in his English learning.
He is working above average in maths working roughly a year ahead of his age.
The most important thing for us is that his mental health has improved so much, confidence and self - esteem has massively grown and with that he is happier and more content then he ever was in school.
He is able to follow his passions more those being football and mixed martial arts (a brown belt in just years)
Home educating gave me my son back and I only wish I had taken the step sooner.
How I think schools could be better.
Work with staff to highlight and support mental health in children.
Deal with the bullying and not ignore it.
Don't punish the victim of the bullying but the one who is being a bully.
Do not ignore children when they tell you about bullying and do not minimise a parents/guardians concerns
Deal with the bullying and not ignore it.
Don't punish the victim of the bullying but the one who is being a bully.
Do not ignore children when they tell you about bullying and do not minimise a parents/guardians concerns