Bullying at School.

[GJC]

My son returned to school today, he's 9 and was subjected to a physical assault (witnessed by other children and a staff member - no provocation by my son to the attacker) by another 9 yr old. The child who assaulted my son has a history of this behaviour in school and at home.

I want the school to take firm action and I want to hear other stories (case studies) or best practice in how I should go about instigating the expulsion of this child. Should the school or local education authority have a policy on how they deal with bullying? i.e a timetable of procedure/s that they instigate, for example when I call the Head Teacher tomorrow, I want reasurrance that the matter is investigated, and an outcome suitable for the crime is applied to this child.

Many thanks.

GJC

[shodan]

Speaking from a legal point of view, a person under the age of 10 years is deemed as not able to commit an offence so there is no criminal matter as such.

My advice would be to chat with the Head Teacher and find out what they have done about this and what they plan to do about it first before you make demands and things. I would suggest you push them to make sure that they speak to the childs parents about this and that maybe if the child has a history of this like behaviour then maybe the social services should be informed...

[Miyazaki]

IMHO the last thing to do is make "demands" of the school. Give them the chance to sort it out themselves within a reasonable timeframe, and then if you feel the matter hasn't been resolved take it further. Just my 2p.

[Orson]

Sorry to hear about this.

You don't state how serious the assault was, or what, if any injuries your child received, but unless the offending child has been formerly cautioned/suspended etc. before, it is very very highly unlikely that he/she will be expelled.

As for your other questions (I speak as a governor of an infant/junior school), then yes, the school will have a bullying policy in place, which should be made available to you.

The questions you need to ask are;

Are the school aware of the offenders previous violent conduct? (If it is only playground gossip & hearsay, it won't be officially aware, if so, try and speak to teachers & staff members who have witnessed previous incidents & quote them to the headteacher)

If so, what has been done (both as punishment and as a preventative action) in the past?

(The obvious) what are the school going to do about this incident?

You could indicate in your conversation with the headteacher that you are considering police involvement , depending on the seriousness, and how ‘serious’ you feel your concerns are being taken.

I really understand where you are coming from with this, but give the headteacher a chance to explain what will happen. Remember, it is highly likely that given a choice, the headteacher would like nothing more than be rid of what may be a nasty bully anyway, so give him/her a chance!

[LFC_SL]

As someone who goes to college with a bro in high school and bro in primary > the school should indeed have a policy.

What you want from the school is what exactly happened?
What action will the school take with the other child? What was the previous course of action? Will he be expelled, suspended and what of the parents?

Is the school doing anything other than previously done? Its probable another form of action should be taken, as obviously nothing previous has worked

Why did the child do this? Was your son a specific target or does this kid just pick on another? Has the child got personal reasons and is taking it badly?

When you say physically assaulted, how far did you mean? You say teachers/satff witnessed - did they intervene quick enough? If not, why not? Also ask about supervision of the children on breaks / lunch

[GJC]

Shodan/Games Guru

Shodan:

I would suggest you push them to make sure that they speak to the childs parents about this and that maybe if the child has a history of this like behaviour then maybe the social services should be informed...

Games Guru:

Just my 2p.

All advice appreciated.

Thanks for the advice. The child does have a previous record of this behaviour and the school and social services have dealt with, and are dealing with the child and his parent. I wouldnt word my enquiry as a demand, I'm after policy/procedure, or likewise, as backbone to strengthen my enquiry/s should I need to go that route. I will certainly make a telephone call to the headteacher and then send an email to reafirm (spell?) what was said.

[GJC]

Orson

You don't state how serious the assault was, or what, if any injuries your child received, but unless the offending child has been formerly cautioned/suspended etc. before, it is very very highly unlikely that he/she will be expelled.

There were/are some red marks on his arms, the situation wasnt allowed to escalate further.

The child hasnt been cautioned as he is under 10 yrs of age (not for long though).

As for your other questions (I speak as a governor of an infant/junior school), then yes, the school will have a bullying policy in place, which should be made available to you.

I'll try and get the wording for this either emailed to me or posted tomorrow.

The questions you need to ask are;

Are the school aware of the offenders previous violent conduct? (If it is only playground gossip & hearsay, it won't be officially aware, if so, try and speak to teachers & staff members who have witnessed previous incidents & quote them to the headteacher)

Yes there fully aware of the childs track record. Its been made aware to me by other parents at the school and some residents in the same street that his behaviour has been reported to the school and social services. Social Services have been contacted in the past by other parties.

If so, what has been done (both as punishment and as a preventative action) in the past?

(The obvious) what are the school going to do about this incident?

Noted!

I really understand where you are coming from with this, but give the headteacher a chance to explain what will happen. Remember, it is highly likely that given a choice, the headteacher would like nothing more than be rid of what may be a nasty bully anyway, so give him/her a chance!

Agree, and so would many parents.

Thanks

---------------------

LFC_SL

What you want from the school is what exactly happened?
What action will the school take with the other child? What was the previous course of action? Will he be expelled, suspended and what of the parents?

Is the school doing anything other than previously done? Its probable another form of action should be taken, as obviously nothing previous has worked

Noted. Apologies for the brief replys, I will print all this info off at work tomorrow.

Why did the child do this? Was your son a specific target or does this kid just pick on another? Has the child got personal reasons and is taking it badly

My son, I believe was a target because the attacker lives opposite my son's house (My daughter, son and ex-wife live at a different address to me with my ex-wife's partner), therefore its easy pickings.

The childs actions (some of the examples that have been witnesses and filmed on my camera:

Sticking fingers up at passers by, swearing at other children, throwing mud at windows learning difficulties (he receives extra tuition).

When you say physically assaulted, how far did you mean? You say teachers/satff witnessed - did they intervene quick enough? If not, why not? Also ask about supervision of the children on breaks / lunch

Red marks (on his upper arms). One member of staff intervened and the attacker was put on detention for the rest of his lunch break.

Thanks for the advice.

[Nobber22]

Originally Posted by GJC

Red marks (on his upper arms).

That's considered assualt? Geez, things were a bit tougher when I was nine.

[Mr Jason B]

Originally Posted by Nobber22

That's considered assualt? Geez, things were a bit tougher when I was nine.

Took the words right out of my mouth.Im not condoning what the "attacker" did and I dont know how much things have changed since I was in school but errrr kids misbehave,fight,swear,"Stick fingers up at passers by" and a hell of a lot worse.

What you describe certainly suggests that the problem child needs attention from the relevant people but I wouldnt say his actions anywhere near warrant an expulsion.Obviously bullying shouldnt be tolerated but I think wrapping kids in cotton wool isnt the best idea either.

[pjclark1]

The school will do as little as they think they can get away with.
They will also fob you off, until you forget about it. (or at least stop bothering them)

There is really no way to deal with this, so they don't try.
(it's only bullying if he picks the same victim/s each time)

[LFC_SL]

Seems this kid needs someone to talk to, to find out whats really going on

[Mr.D]

Tell the bully you've shagged his mum and if he doesn't behave himself you'll do her again.

[vonhosen]

Originally Posted by pjclark1

The school will do as little as they think they can get away with.
They will also fob you off, until you forget about it. (or at least stop bothering them)

There is really no way to deal with this, so they don't try.
(it's only bullying if he picks the same victim/s each time)

Maybe, but they have a duty of care towards all concerned & they must have a policy in place to deal with such incidents.

True if you don't push they may try & get away with as little as possible (they are no different from a lot of other public service organisations in that respect), but they are ultimately accountable & can be sued/taken to task where they fall short of their obligations.

[overkill]

Maybe, but they have a duty of care towards all concerned & they must have a policy in place to deal with such incidents.

They must indeed. You can also ask to see it. When talking to the headteacher indicate what has happened, and, if it happens again go right back in there until something is done. Otherwise, as PJclark says, the school will just do nothing until they have too.

True if you don't push they may try & get away with as little as possible (they are no different from a lot of other public service organisations in that respect), but they are ultimately accountable & can be sued/taken to task where they fall short of their obligations.

Exactly. One of the reasons bullying has become so high profile, is that, like so many things litigation has entered the school arena. Another import from across the pond.

[Steve.EX]

Slightly off-topic but still relevent to the wierdness of school/legal policies:
I am only now reaching some form of conclusion to an absolutely horrendous break-up from my long term partner of 13 years, in which i have lost my house, reasonable access to my beloved 8 year old son, been cheated and ignored by the "legal/court" system i have paid lots of money to to try and help me with these and several other issues etc etc.....anyway. Some time earlier this year, on a whim i booked a short holiday for my son and i which, i had planned, would give me 2 or 3 months to bribe my ex into letting me see my son (for a whole 4 days) before we would go away (i have found she can be almost reasonable if it involves giving the shirt off my back and doesn't affect her weekly "financial support" from me in any way). With this agreed i approached the school to request term-time absence via the usual forms. It was with some surprise that this was denied and after a meeting with the (very supportive) Headmaster it came to light that my son had by anyones standards an abysmal school attendance record. This was very distressing as he is naturally academic. After several grovelling letters to his mother asking the reasons for his absenteeism and receiving no acknowledgement whatsoever i felt i had no other choice but to request the services of the School Welfare Officer to try and get to the bottom of this. Shortly after this meeting i received a letter from both my ex's Solicitor and the school explaining that i was no longer allowed to contact the school regarding any subject other than his open evening/Christmas play etc!!!! When at many of our Court Hearings i asked as to the sanity of this it has transpired that my "interference" is infact an invasion into HER PRIVACY!!! When asking the Judge how can this be and who will, if not i, take issue with this non-attendance i was in no uncertain terms told to shut-up, it has nothing to do with me and if i attempt to contact the school again he (the Judge) would be happy to sit at any hearing my ex should instigate in taking action against me regarding this issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHEER F*****G MADNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

Needless to say i have (with the aid of a frighteningly expensive solicitor) gained Parental Responsibilty which "allows" me to contact schools/doctors etc without risking recrimination. This, of course, had to come at the expense of some of my ex's "good character" status in court, which no doubt will have further implications for both my son and i.
Things like the washing up and decorating etc no longer bother me in the same way they did after my all this.