Changing School

[pam1cat]

Can anyone tell me how I go about changing my 14 year old from one school to another. My son is very unhappy at the school he is attending at the moment, and I know he is being bullied, but he won't tell me much about it because he is frightened of reprisals. The is also effecting his behaviour at school. I have seen his head of year and I have made an appointment to see the Headmaster next week. But before I see the Head, I wanted to know what my options were.

thank you in advance.

[noxlumos]

Firstly, you need to ring your local LEA and speak to them, they have the ultimate power to make the change over very easy if they wish to and are worth getting on your side.They are usually very sympathetic, they were when my eldest son who is deaf was being bullied, but ultimately we decided to withdraw all our kids from school and home educate because we had other issues with the school system.

The person who wasn't helpful was the school head in our case, who seemed not to acknowledge the bullying and not to be prepared to do anything about it at all.

Remember that you have a right to move your son but that the people who can help you do it quickly and painlessly are the LEA so get them on board with it in theory, as bullying ruins lives and your son deserves not to have to be fearful.If you get no sense from the head, withdraw him straight away and tell the LEA in no uncertain terms you want him moved. Best of luck to you both.

[sense4all]

There is lots of good sensible advice on the net, go to ask .co.uk and type in bullying. I would call into the school and ask to have a copy of their anti bullying policy. They are required to have one.Also write bullet point reminders so that you will not be moved from what you want to talk to them about, if possible take another 'firm but fair' parent with you, particularly, if you do not want to go alone! Try not to lose the plot if they say they are not aware of a problem - some Heads are absolute chancers!

Bonne Chance!

[acorn]

Ive no advice but just wanted to say how sad it must be for you and your boy. My son is 15 and has been through an awful amount over the last year with little shi*s at the school who think nothing of bringing knives and even a small bb gun into school - with the teachers aware but unable to do anything - supposedly. So the though of having to move him would be a real hard one. But as the others have said, go and speak to the LEA AND the school - what the heck are they doing about helping the poor lad! All the very best pam1cat

[ineedahobby]

All the advice so far sounds excellent I have nothing to add apart from my best wishes to you and your son and a happy outcome to the situation. Bullies are the absolute scum of the earth.

Good luck x