DD assaulted at school (again)- caught on CCTV...advice pls.

daska

Fine, if the police want to involve the governors as well, then involve the governors. Write to them explaining that your daughter has been assaulted, that this is not the first incident of this nature, and that you want it fully investigated as you are not convinced that the school are doing everything in their power to prevent a further incident. State that the school have not responded to your request for their bullying policy. Reiterate the need to keep the CCTV images. Send a copy to the school and to the police.

When DS1 was bullied OUTSIDE school, the heads of both the schools where the offenders went told me to go to the police and the police attended both schools as a result.

msb5262

Hello OP,
Sorry to hear that this has happened to your DD and it sounds as if you are doing the right thing by reporting the incident to the police.
I would agree totally with most of the advice you have been given already but I'd also advise you to keep a record of all phone calls, with date/time/person you were calling/what was said...and of course log all the attempts you make to contact the school as often it's impossible to catch up with the person you need in a big school.
The other big tip I would give you is to copy ALL correspondence relating to this incident to the chair of governors at the school, as well as writing formally to the chair to express your anxiety about the treatment your DD has received. End your letter with, "I look forward to hearing from you," and if you are not ultimately happy about how the school handles the whole thing, be prepared to make a formal complaint.
You might also consider involving the local education authority as the school is answerable to them, and/or your local MP as he/she will be concerned if things are not right at a school in the constituency.
HTH
MsB

Susan_Frost

This is horrible.

If your daughter had been attacked in the street they would do something.

If you feel fobbed off by the police, ask to speak to someone higher - everyone has a boss.

Tell both police and school you are taking legal advice on assault, get a free half hour with a solicitor.

If you ask for replies from anyone, give them a deadline, dont just leave it open, then contact again if you dont get an answer within that time.

Good luck

Loz01

How awful for your poor daughter Def push the Police route if you can, this is assault and the people need to be reported and reprimanded.

daska

Actually, I'm thinking teabythesea's suggestion of threatening to involve the local papers might well inspire the school to take it more seriously. If this were a first offence I wouldn't advocate responding so strongly but I re-read your posts and you state it's happened more than once previously - that really isn't acceptable and the school should be exploring every avenue available to it. Copy your letter to the Director of Education at the LEA, they'll let you know if it isn't appropriate but at least you'll have done a belt and braces job on every avenue open to you.

creased-leach

Hi all, just a very brief update as the matchsticks on my eyelids are feeling the strain. We had a fab WPC come round today, and feel we've made some progress. Also fired off a letter to the MP who used to be a Govenor, and has interests in the field. Just opened my email to find a copy of the anti bullying policy which I will read in the morning.
Thanks all again. )

dwichmann

have you considered involving a local newspaper. Might force the school into action and make them acknowledge their anti bullying policy. Would also alert other parents to issues their children may be having. Probably worth checking with your daughter before taking this course of action.