School Bully

[tim123]

How would you lot handle your kid being bullied at school?

I found out last night that some kid is picking on my son at school. Because he is blind he doesn't know who it is but he thinks it's the same kid. It started with this kid calling him names, knocking into him and holding doors closed when my son was trying to get around school. Yesterday he was punched him in the face which is pretty low by anybodies standards. He told his support assitant who said 'There isn't much I can do about it is there' which I don't think is good enough.

No it's not.

IIRC there is a recent case where a school had to pay out a very large (by school budget standards) amount of compensation for allowing a kid to be bullied.

I should be scheduling a trip to the head to ask them what (s)he is going to do to avoid you making such a claim

tim

[Bagpuss]

One thing I learnt about bullies when I was a kid is that their parents usually don’t have any decency. They were often bullies themselves.

Sometime but not always so. Worth a try anyway.

[jmo21]

been reading this thread all day, and just getting round to posting

absolutely shocked by this, bullying is bad enough, but punching a blind kid - its like the punchline of a joke or something

just want to send best wishes to you and James, and hope it all gets sorted out

please keep us posted as to any outcome

[Cliphead]

been reading this thread all day, and just getting round to posting

absolutely shocked by this, bullying is bad enough, but punching a blind kid - its like the punchline of a joke or something

just want to send best wishes to you and James, and hope it all gets sorted out

please keep us posted as to any outcome

+1

[BolshieBastard]

This is absolutely appalling. Bullying is bad enough but this is lowest of the low.

Think this needs prompt action because schools will do as little as possible about bullying as is possible.

You've written to the school and even if you only sent the letter a couple of days ago, I'd be down there demanding to speak to the head.

The head either has to make the teaching assistants collect your son or there's some other arrangement to protect him.

[BoredBloke]

Well an update - and I'm not happy.

James went to school and handed the letter to his form teacher who promptly passed it on to the 'support' assistant who didn't do anything yesterday with pretty much the same response. She thinks he's making it up. However the pastoral care person got involved and she is going to check his timetable and ensure that the cameras are on him when he's moving about! He came home with a small scratch on his face today but isn't sure if it's the same kid as they didn't say anything this time.

On Monday I think I will be arranging a visit

[Badger]

Man, that's not good. I really hope things work out well, and the scum doing it gets a kicking.

[NoddY]

Cameras (or teachers) in corridors should enforce to all pupils that those spaces are 'controlled' and monitored. Bullies will only bully in uncontrolled spaces that they feel comfortable in. The trick for adults is to give the impression that all spaces are controlled at all times, which is impossible - but school kids don't know that.

OwlHoots suggestion that the headteacher should verbally announce the culprits name in assembly is an excellent one, but MUST be followed up with affirmative action, for example suspension/expulsion. Headteacher should let slip to form tutors how evidence was obtained - they will 'leak' information to pupils and the grapevine will do the rest. Rumours of mobile security cameras and/or 'wandering' teachers add to the new paranoia.

[Platypus]

ensure that the cameras are on him when he's moving about!

That's more like it! I was going to chip in and ask if the school had CCTV - clearly it does so that should (I hope) soon identify the culprit.

My GF is a teacher and as far as I know the "support person" will be a part-time nice lady who means well but has with little special training - certainly not in dealing with bullying. The form teacher is copping out by passing the letter to this person it's disgusting. Clearly they have no clue how to handle this. Does the form teacher even know the school's bullying policy I wonder?

This matter clearly needs to be raised with the SENCO and the head. Ignore the form teacher and support assistant.

Best wishes with this.

P.S. I really liked the idea to spray the kid with indelible dye.

[Platypus]

OwlHoots suggestion that the headteacher should verbally announce the culprits name in assembly is an excellent one

Sorry to be negative but I strongly doubt this would happen (in this day and age) on the basis that you might hurt the bully's feelings

People have sued (and won damages) for less.

Also, I can't see the headteacher being willing to accept advice from an aggrieved parent.