Safeguarding children at school

[Goodsoulette]

Can anyone please help me with where my chid stands regarding his safety at school. In his class is a child with extreme behavioural problems.

A year ago this child attacked my son in the toilet. He knocked him to the floor, ripped his shirt open and bit a hole in his chest. He was excluded internally for 2 days. They were then 6 years old.

There has since been various kicks, shoves and punches.

Since returning to school this term, my son has been in the wrong place a the wrong time systematically. He has kicked him in the head, strangled him, punched him, rugby tackled him and pounded his head against the wall. This after shouting F*** you C*** to the teacher repeatedly resulted in another exclusion for 2 days, this time off the premises. However, I feel like his verbal insults to the teacher in front of the class may have been the motive for exclusion rather than his aggressive behaviour towards Evan.

Today Evan handed me an injury slip, it had his ribs highlighted. He told me this kid had kicked him. I finally lost my rag and saw the headmaster who assured me that this child would not be back to school until at least tuesday. School behaviour codes suggest he should have excluded a long time before now, I understand he has behavioural problems and I feel sorry for the kid as I know he has a crappy homelife but Evan is suffering now. He doesnt want to go to school, hes over emotional at any roughhousing and he has wet the bed a few times recently, i feel this is due to stress.

How can I prevent this child being near him unsupervised? I don't think the school are having much luck with permanently excluding him, or do I need to speak to Somerset County Council myself???

[humbersloop]

It seems like you may need to do something more formal with the school, soul.

There's a problem that the school seem to think the exclusion system will resolve for them, when social services involvement may be called for now - although they may need to do one to trigger the other it's clearly not working.

[sherrardk]

Have you asked the school what they are going to do/voiced your concerns regarding the safety of your son? I would be livid and worried if this was one of mine. Presumably if the other boy has such problems he has a teaching assistant with him in the classroom (their is a lad in reception at our local school who has behavioral problems who has a teaching assistant). It is not unfeasible that they could provide additional support at break and lunch time to closely surprise this boy. Hope you get it sorted out, it's horrible when you are so worried about one of your children, xxx

[sherrardk]

Doh ^ there

[phleb]

get into touch wih the council and also take somone with you to any meetings you have with the school, and take notes, you may need these in the future. I would be furious, do something now, before he injures your child terribly.

[B00]

Afraid id be all guns blazing goodsy!

Perhaps not helpful to you, but I think id be going down the route of keeping my child off school until the other child was expelled or at least placed as far removed from mine at all times.

I wouldn't have stood for a 2nd incidence, you've shown remarkable restrain as id have been in baying for blood after the first one!

[sherrardk]

Boo - I did all guns blazing when boy #1 was getting clobbered by a horrid boy. Got me nowhere fast (I did turn into the protective mother from hell). If you go bonkers they just have you pegged as a nutter. GS needs to find out what the school should actually be doing and then make them do it (although I would also be tempted to keep my child off until it was sorted to my satisfaction but it is a slippery slope). Hope it gets sorted out v soon.

[Canary42]

I suggest a solicitor's letter to the school stating you are going to prosecute them for failing in their duty of care to Evan, and will be claiming substantial damages and costs.

[Goodsoulette]

As far as I can see, on the behaviour standards on the schools own website, if a child receives two internal exclusions with a 4 week period then he should then receive a permanent exclusion. This is his second within a week for attacking my son. I suppose I need to ask if this is going to be upheld or whether this kid is exempt due to special educational needs. Even if this is the case I'm not happy for my son to be around him as he manages to attack him even in front of teachers.

[Goodsoulette]

Thanks for all your answers though by the way. I really, really wish I had kicked up a massive fuss after the first major incident. I had no idea that one year on things would escalate so quickly. Oddly my son is no angel himself, I'm surprised he hasn't wolloped him back.

[Mamyalynne]

Goodsoul , If this boy is SEN and has a statement then the school is not only letting your lad down but the other boy too - he should as said above have a teaching assistant who would be alert to a potential build up of aggression in him.

Contact the Board of Governors and if necessary the Local Education Authority.

Poor Evan, he soes not deserve this, nor do you.

[boxtops]

The school have a duty of care to your son. This might be a place to start, as you have not had satisfactory responses from the school. http://www.somersetsa...childrenboard.org.uk/

[atalanta]

Make sure you take photos of every injury. Several photos from different angles. If necessary, take photos every day as soon as he gets home from school, in the presence of witnesses, to show how long-lasting the injuries are. Make sure each photo has its date on. This is evidence - hard evidence.

[Goodsoulette]

I really wish I had taken photos. I happen to have a photo of the bang to the head, he has a scar on his chest from the bite a year ago,and I will take a photo of the bruise on his chest. Im hoping the kids being expelled and that they were just being cagey about it and not sharing it with me. Thank you for the link boxtops, I really have no idea how to go about these things. Im not really forceful enough in all honesty.

[Brinjal]

You do need to document all these attacks and injuries. I do hope you have put your complaints and concerns in writing to the school. This is serious it's as if the other child has all the rights and your son has none.

[B00]

Hey Sherr

With all due respect, id be surprised if they were surprised if you didn't go in all guns blazing after the first incidence, we're not talking about a kid bonking another on the head, we're talking about a bite, deep enough to leave a scar a year later!

No, still stand by what I said, i'd have gone totally ballistic after the first one.

Whatever you do Goodsy, good luck- and xxx to your son, bless him.

[cazzz1975]

I would take the school to task about this, he should be safe in school and he isnt, I would not be fobbed off, I would demand that he is kept away from this boy.

I would probably have gone ballistic as well, your son shouldnt be in a dangerous environment, the school have to safeguard all of the pupils.

[Lindylou]

If at all possible go into school with him. Stay all day. If the headteacher etc. doesn't like it then explain if they can't protect your child then you have no other choice. It is their responsibility, legally, to maintain a safe environment and if that's not the case then you will have to take steps to ensure that they do. And yes, complain - loudly - to your local Council / MP and anyone else who is liable. After all, these people are being paid by us taxpayers to do their jobs. The bad behaviour of this other child isn't your problem. The treatment being received by your poor child is.

[puzzled54]

Get in touch with the Chair of Governors at the school straight away. Firstly check that they are aware of the situation (ie have the teaching staff kept him/her informed, and if not then why not), and then ask what the next stage is as your son is suffering mental and physical abuse because of this disruptive child.

[Lore]

Totally agree with puzzled. Write to the chair of Governors, it'll certainly rattle their cage..state in the letter that if this issue isn't dealt with ( give a reasonable date ) next you will be contacting your local authority for further advice.
I'm surprised steps to place him in a specialist behavioural unit aren't being made. Although, that doesn't happen over night. It could quite possibly be going through the system now.

[Smowball]

God that is absolutely awful. Your poor son!! I would speak to the school/governors one more tme and ell them you are seeking legal advice.Your son could be seriously hurt next time! x