Relate

My 10 year old son has been bullied by children at primary school since last year yet the school refuses to deal with any of the issues. there are 4 children who have caused him much upset by getting him into trouble with his teacher by making up stories about him, having spoken to the teacher he is dismissive and thinks my child is to blame and says the children's storie's all collaborate. I did tell him thats what they do but he says that he has no evidence of my child being bullied. The children have gone around the school telling other children not to play with my son as he is a liar, fat, stupid ect and every time they see my son playing with anyone they convince them to play with their gang leaving my son alone and very sad. Besides, name calling my son has also been punched in the face and pushed around.

Zach now hates school and worries nervously on a daily basis about attending as he doesn't see the point when no one believes him, he has said he wants to kill himself and doesn't want to live anymore.I informed the school about this and the head said he would talk to him, yet hasn't.Since January when letting them know the effects the head still has not spoken to him, I was pleased to hear the headmaster tell me he was taking my son on a walk about and would chat with him, I really thought i'd made a break through as he seemed to show some intrest in Zach but on the day when Zach started to talk to him the headmaster said "this is not what your here for and it's not the time or place". We were left most confused.

I asked the head to move Zach further up the list for counselling as a matter of urgency but again nothing so I spoke with a social worker who demanded Zach be to seen as a matter of priority and hey presto the next day he offered it. Although the counsellors very supportive and amazed at how zach is able to put his feelings into perspective for his age the bulling still continues and zach still remains in a fret full state.

Alongside this I feel very frustrated with the school as there have been additional issues to deal with over the last year, my son has been labelled a thief by the head as last summer when we helped out at the fair Zach was helping me place some raffle prizes in the school office, I asked Zach to wait in the office to look after them so none would come in and steal them as the previous year some money was stolen, so I went off to find the janitor to lock the office. when returning to school in September the head approached me and asked if Zach had helped me out at the summer fair, I proudly confirmed expecting him to say how delighted he was with him ,to my surprise he informed me that he had been seen taking the main prize iPod out of the box and hiding it on a shelf in the office. I was rather embaresed by this and admitted this was not like zach as I over reacted a few years earlier when he took one of my rings and was going to give it to one of his friends, I told the head that I thought i'd nipped this in the bud as I marched him down to the police station for them to have a good talking to Zach and there has never been an incidence since. Unfortunately I did not believe zach and my feelings of embarrassment got the better of me. The headmaster said although they found the iPod he still thinks this was a serious matter and said he was going to get the police to come into the school and talk to Zach. This took place without me being present. Then over the Christmas holidays Zach broke down and cryed his heart out telling me his side of the story again and how he has been left with horrible feelings since the incident. I could not believe how stupid I was for not believing him as Zach heard some children outside in the corridor and peeking through the window in the door so he hid the iPod to stop them from taking it. He was really trying to look after things as I asked him to and I did see 2 children in the corridor when I was looking for the janitor. However when returning to school to speak with the head I told himwe made a terrible mistake and it's had devastating effects upon Zach but he did not believe me either. The counsellor said the head should apologies to Zach but he has stillnot spoken to him regarding this issue either. Zach felt bullied into saying what they wanted to stop the head and the policeman putting pressure on him and now feels the head won't acknowledge him at all.

I feel frustrated with head myself and although in the process of trying to change schools for both Zach and my 6 year old I am now thinking of teaching them myself at home,I have been sending Zach to Explore Learing for extra support as his grades have fallen due to lack of concentration, low self esteem, feelings of inadequacy and lack of confidence. He very much enjoys learning there and the environment is one of calmness and great support, besides putting in a letter of complaint to the school governors I'm really not sure what else to do. If you have any suggestions they would be welcomed with open arms.

Kind Regards

Jenny Bouchami