Bullying

[sherrardk]

Would you regard the following as bullying (as I am so cross I can't think straight)? Thing 1 (she's 4 but really titchy) came out of school and part of the way home I noticed that the skirt part of her pinafore dress looked shredded (as if it had been dragged over the ground), given that the others were with me I decided to go home and talk about it rather than find out what had happened in the street. Turns out that two brothers (one in her class and one a year or two older) had taken it in turns to punch her, they then pushed her over and dragged her around by her arms and legs (face down) and then they put her on the floor. She told her teacher that they had been mean to her and the teacher told her to stay away from them. Me and himself are going up the school in the morning to see her teacher (and show her the state of her dress!) but I wanted to try and clarify my thoughts. Thanks for any points of view.

[albaqwerty]

Sherr, don't let it rest.
My younger alba wasn't bullied, he was 'a victim of aggressive behaviour' and 'we, at this school have an active anti-bullying programme in place'

Me: Yes of course you do. No one is bullied, they are just victims.
Give me strength, I was at that school once a week for 3 years before anythinig got done about it. I was absolootely bloody livid.

[sherrardk]

Right, went back into school. They are still investigating it as there is 'conflicting information'. They spoke to the two boys and their brother and they have asked the foster dad to try and get some information out of them over the weekend. Teacher has spoken to thing 1 and told her to never be scared to tell the teacher if anything has gone on and that she is not in trouble. Suppose they have done all that they can so can't ask for anymore really.

[annie0000]

Sorry sher, only just seen this now. What an awful thing to have happened. This is definitely assault though at this point not necessarily bullying. The difference being whether they are deliberately picking on her on more than one occasion. It really hacks me off when schools pussy foot about using the proper words - they need to be clear that this wasn't a case of being a little bt unkind it was a physical assault on a small child - add 10 years onto their ages and you would be expecting police to be involved. The school owe a duty of care to your child.

I hope the wee one is okay and that you get this sorted - let us know what happens....and take care yourself too.

[Kassee]

At 4 years old - they should have been supervised at all times - where was the supervision here? If what your little one has said is true - then it is a disgrace that it happened at all. Is likely to turn her off school altogether. Bullying is just a word that gets bandied about - but teachers/governors/local papers etc are very hot on bullying. So - yes - I would call it bullying and I would keep using that word when I was complaining to the head teacher.

[Kassee]

Have just read the whole thread and I really think they should be better looked after. It is the schools responsibilty to look after them.

Lots of 4 year old have a smaller playground with only young children in it until they get older. Incredible that they are pussy footing around asking everyone what happened - the staff should know what happened because they should have seen it.

My son was being picked on by another lad in his class, he was 5 at the time, he didnt want to go to school that morning. I didnt have time to go in as I was working but I rang the headteacher and told her. She asked the name of the boy (who apparently was fairly well known for bad behaviour - I found out later) she assured me she would sort it out and it would not happen again. And she did - just like that - never happened again. How did she do it - called both children into her office, told them that she did not want to see Child A playing any where near my son in the playground at all, and if he did, then she told me son, not to tell the dinner ladies, or the playground teacher, but to come straight to her office and tell her - the head mistress - so that was the end of that. My little boy was amazed that the head, Mrs Drake, actually had seen what had happened.

[emilym602]

Yes this is definitely bullying! You should be sure to tell a trusted adult and that is good that she told her teacher, but I also think her parents should know how their daughter is being bullied by her brothers so it does not continue. That is very good that you are telling a teacher about this. =)

[bunkmoreland]

how has it worked out for your wee girl sherradk? i was horrified by this thread, pure bullying and you should not have had to work so hard to get listened to:-(

[mumsie_wumsie]

I have also just seen this and read the whole thread through. It horrifies me that this has happened to your little daughter and it seems that no one actually saw it happen.Where on earth were the playground staff that should have been on duty? Probably chatting and taking no notice!!!! This has really upset me, as I have a 5 year old grand daughter at school and if this happened to her, not only would mum be up the school, so would I. How dare these boys do this, no matter what their home life, this behaviour should not be tolerated, they are little thugs. I would certainly not let it rest and would tell the school I would take it further if its not sorted out once and for all. Good luck Sherrardk, don't let it rest, and I hope your daughter is OK. I am still fuming!!!!