School Advice Needed

[tommo64]

Hi All,

Can anyone advise please - Our son is currently attendeding a state school but is being bullied and is desperately unhappy. We have voiced our concerns to the school staff but they are basically not interested, despite the fact that the bully has threatened to knife him on several occassions. They said they can't do anything without proof and it is a matter for the police, not the school!

We have just moved out of that school's zone and into another school's zone. But this school has said that they have no room. I was under the impression that if you lived within a school's zone they were obligated to admit your child. Can anyone tell me whether this is right or not?

We are quite desperate and will happily go private if necessary, even though we would find it hard financially. We have to do something as our son has got to the point where he cannot sleep properly, says he cannot eat because he feels sick and has now been referred to a psychiactric nurse by our doctor because she thinks he is suffering from anxiety and depression.

Hope someone can advise.

[Prema]

Hi,

I am so sorry to hear about this, and I really do feel for you and your son. I do not understand why some schools just don't listen to parent's concerns. This was one of the reasons why we moved our children from a private school to a state school. The state school did say they were at full capacity, but as I lived in the zone they had to offer both my children a school place. I would go back the school and provide proof of your address and speak to the principle, explain what is going on with your son, and how bad it has become on his health.
If no joy contact department of education look on line and check out the health and wellbeing section.
I do hope you are able to get your son into another school, Since the hols are so close why don't you get him out and just state to the other school that he is not attending any school for his own health.

Keep me in the loop about what happens
Prema x

[Kris]

This really makes me angry to hear. I have good friends who are teachers and their schools take it very seriously. They talk to the children and their parents. They try to sort it and they have zero tolerance to it. That's a bit of a cop out that they can't do anything and are obliged to listen to you. Go to the Police and see what they have to say and I would definitely report the school. Don't hesitate to send an email to the Minister of Education who is Jay Weatherall. Truly do it, you will be doing your son (and I am sure other people's children) a favour. The Minister's staff will investigate what is happening and how the school is dealing with and they are obliged to reply to you. It is their job to do this and do not think that you are not important enough. I work in government and a lot of people write to Ministers and some are the most trivial of things and this is definitely not trivial. This is the Mins website Hon JAY WEATHERILL MP and his email address is listed on their. For your son's safety I would definitely ask about what you should do to keep him safe. His safety is all that matters. It might just be an idle threat but you hear stories like this all the time. My very best wishes to you, I hope you get this sorted.

[jim and adel]

I do hope you are able to get your son into another school, Since the hols are so close why don't you get him out and just state to the other school that he is not attending any school for his own health.

That's just what I was thinking. It's awful to hear something like that and I really feel for your son. I wouldn't send him back there for one more hour; his wellbeing has to come first.

Good luck getting it resolved, it must be very distressing.

Jim

[tommo64]

Hi Kris and Prema,

Thanks for your replies and advice, which we will take on board. We are going to approach the other school again tomorrow. We had previously given them proof of our residence within their zone and a stat dec but they still turned us down. Our son is adamant he doesn't want to go back to his present school and we have decided to take him out, for the time being at least. We are really disappointed with their response. If we can't get this sorted, then we will certainly complain to the minister as you have suggested. As you said, this boys threats are probably just that, but we are not prepared to take that chance.

Thanks again.

[tommo64]

Hi Jim,

Yes, it is very distressing for both us and our son. We have been here about 7 months now and generally, everything has worked out well, apart from this problem. It is stressfull enough for a 15 year old to move to the other side of the world, leaving behind his old friends and trying to settle into a new school, etc., without all this other nonsense. But like all the other obstacles, I'm sure we will overcome this one. The advice and encouragement we have received on here is a great help and comfort.

Thanks again to all.

[motlyman]

Have a look outside your zone also.
We changed schools as it went down hill and my daughter attends one outside the zone. If there are places you can get in.

Colin

[HEAPS GOOD !!!]

We have a friend whom was also told that their kids could not goto the school in the areaas it was full....he got hold of the local politician and told them the situation...needless to say the school were on the fone within the week offering her a place....

Give it a go mate....

HG

[DAVID.CHRISTINE]

your poor son its so unfair when yobs can upset and get away with this behaviour,your right to take him out of that school <name and shame >but your not allowed .
yes i would go back to the prefered school with documents of new address ,i thought they had to accept pupils if in there area
hope this is soon settled and your son can move on for all your familys sake

[Weez]

Look for another school, check out and question them on their bullying policy, and MOVE HIM! the school my sons go to is rather rough around the edges but the bullying policy is 1st class, good luck for your son, before he knows it it will be in the past x