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Angry parents speak out about bullying at school
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| Bill and Sue Watson say daughter Nicola was victimised by a gang of girls |
THE parents of two victims have spoken out about bullying at a Basingstoke school.
Bill Watson and his wife Sue, whose daughter Nicola, 15, attends Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School, say they feel the issue should be out in the open.
And they have been joined by the mother of a girl bullied by the same gang.
Mr Watson said Nicola, a Year 11 student who is due to sit her GCSE exams later this summer, was victimised by a gang of about eight girls last November and has not spent much time at school since.
Mr Watson claims that, despite countless meetings with headteacher Anthony Corish and the head of year, the school has refused to take a firm hand with the perpetrators, whom he says "run amok".
He said: "We were looking at ways to get Nicola back into school as she hasn't really been back properly since November, which is just not acceptable.
"Formerly a bubbly young teenager, keen to do well, my daughter has been reduced to a frightened individual who can barely sleep, let alone concentrate on her GCSEs."
Mr Watson said there have also been threats of violence, which have been reported to the police, and the family car was damaged when a brick was thrown through the window.
| My daughter has been reduced to a frightened individual who can barely sleep, let alone concentrate on her GCSEs | | Bill Watson |
|
Another mum has also contacted The Gazette about bullying at Bishop Challoner.
The mum, who does not wish to be named, said her 15-year-old daughter was targeted and, after an argument about boys, was left with a bruised elbow and cuts to her lip.
She said: "Both our girls have very little self-esteem left. Why should this gang get away with it?
"It is meant to be a church school that loves everyone. But all they are interested in are the grades and whether the kids are wearing their blazers or not."
In a statement to The Gazette, Tony Cullinane, chairman of governors at the school, said: "Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School has a robust anti-bullying policy.
"Pupils are aware of the policy and know what is expected of them with regards to behaviour and their responsibility of care towards others.
"Any complaint is always taken seriously, thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken.
"If parents have any concerns, the headteacher or his senior management team is always willing to meet and discuss matters."
8:56am Friday 2nd March 2007
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CommentPosted by: paul, eastleigh on 10:21am Fri 2 Mar 07
If the school cant deal with the problem then why are the police not bringing charges against these girls.the age of criminal responsibility in this country is ten anyone over this age can be prosecuted so why has this not happened.surely there is at least a charge of assult contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.if this were my child then i would demand police action(i would be demanding a meeting with the inspector or chief inspector at the local police station) and also i would seek an injunction preventing these bullies from going any where near my child.it is disgraceful that the school is allowing this to continue. i was bullied at school and can sympathise with these girls but it appears to always be the case that the schools bury their heads in the sand when it comes to bullying
If the school cant deal with the problem then why are the police not bringing charges against these girls.the age of criminal responsibility in this country is ten anyone over this age can be prosecuted so why has this not happened.surely there is at least a charge of assult contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.if this were my child then i would demand police action(i would be demanding a meeting with the inspector or chief inspector at the local police station) and also i would seek an injunction preventing these bullies from going any where near my child.it is disgraceful that the school is allowing this to continue. i was bullied at school and can sympathise with these girls but it appears to always be the case that the schools bury their heads in the sand when it comes to bullying
Posted by: Julia, overseas - thank god on 3:00pm Fri 2 Mar 07
Forget the police thats a laugh,one of my daughters bullies slapped me across the face in town in front of everyone, thinks she is very big I went to the police station made a statement, alerted the school - Costello (thats a joke in its self) a few days later I was arrested, this so called "girl" accused me of strangling her, would of loved to, but didnt, lucky enough for me someone in the hairdressers saw what had gone on and made a statement, thank you my angel, because if she hadnt, hate to think what might of happened!! took my daughter out of school, best thing I could of done, wish I had done it years ago, for what she had learnt was'nt much!! The bullies well they represent this school so well. Once taken my daughter out we were left on our own, no support from education, school, or anyone was kept being told "they dont have bullying", I wouldnt mind but I worked in the education sector in early years, couldnt believe that there is no support for children and their parents in senior education, so you are on your own!! So forget the police, education YOU dont have any rights unless you are the family of the bully, thank god we live aboard now, its sooooo much better , safe and civilised!!
Forget the police thats a laugh,one of my daughters bullies slapped me across the face in town in front of everyone, thinks she is very big I went to the police station made a statement, alerted the school - Costello (thats a joke in its self) a few days later I was arrested, this so called "girl" accused me of strangling her, would of loved to, but didnt, lucky enough for me someone in the hairdressers saw what had gone on and made a statement, thank you my angel, because if she hadnt, hate to think what might of happened!! took my daughter out of school, best thing I could of done, wish I had done it years ago, for what she had learnt was'nt much!! The bullies well they represent this school so well. Once taken my daughter out we were left on our own, no support from education, school, or anyone was kept being told "they dont have bullying", I wouldnt mind but I worked in the education sector in early years, couldnt believe that there is no support for children and their parents in senior education, so you are on your own!! So forget the police, education YOU dont have any rights unless you are the family of the bully, thank god we live aboard now, its sooooo much better , safe and civilised!!
Posted by: Julia, overseas on 3:15pm Fri 2 Mar 07
Dear Mr Tony Cullinane, chairman of governors at Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School who says he has a robust anti-bullying policy.
"Pupils are aware of the policy and know what is expected of them with regards to behaviour and their responsibility of care towards others.
"Any complaint is always taken seriously, thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken.
.......This really works this piece of paper.... oopps Policy
doesnt it!!??
Perhaps these bullies either cant read or havent been told to read yet.
And YES we where told....
"If parents have any concerns, the headteacher or his senior management team is always willing to meet and discuss matters."
BUT this took up too much of their time!! and really couldnt be bothered ie the last conversation I had with Costello was asking me if my daughter was going back because they needed the Funding??
What a great school!
Dear Mr Tony Cullinane, chairman of governors at Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School who says he has a robust anti-bullying policy.
"Pupils are aware of the policy and know what is expected of them with regards to behaviour and their responsibility of care towards others.
"Any complaint is always taken seriously, thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken.
.......This really works this piece of paper.... oopps Policy
doesnt it!!??
Perhaps these bullies either cant read or havent been told to read yet.
And YES we where told....
"If parents have any concerns, the headteacher or his senior management team is always willing to meet and discuss matters."
BUT this took up too much of their time!! and really couldnt be bothered ie the last conversation I had with Costello was asking me if my daughter was going back because they needed the Funding??
What a great school!
Posted by: Teo de Lellis, Basingstoke on 6:40am Tue 6 Mar 07
Dear Editor, I read the story of the Watson family and their alleged claim that their daughter had been bullied at Bishop Challoner school and had not attended school since last November.
What chance does this child have if the parents do not take appropriate action and move her to another school? Keeping her away from school is not going to fix the problem or help her secure good grades in her GCSE exams.
Moreover, if the parents do not like the school policies on uniform etc., why send her there? They should take their child out of the school and her place can be given to a child that does want that place.
It is sad that these parents feel that taking their story to the media is the only way to address the issue: as Bishop Challoner Governor stated there are procedures and if the parents are unwilling to go through the procedures then they need to remove their child from that school.
It is unacceptable that this child is being kept away from school - and it would appeat that her parents are not really doing anything to get her either back to school or to another school.
Of course, we have only heard one side of this story and it would be interesting to hear what the so-called 'bullies' have to say about Nicola Watson. Why doesn't the Gazette report that?
Dear Editor, I read the story of the Watson family and their alleged claim that their daughter had been bullied at Bishop Challoner school and had not attended school since last November.
What chance does this child have if the parents do not take appropriate action and move her to another school? Keeping her away from school is not going to fix the problem or help her secure good grades in her GCSE exams.
Moreover, if the parents do not like the school policies on uniform etc., why send her there? They should take their child out of the school and her place can be given to a child that does want that place.
It is sad that these parents feel that taking their story to the media is the only way to address the issue: as Bishop Challoner Governor stated there are procedures and if the parents are unwilling to go through the procedures then they need to remove their child from that school.
It is unacceptable that this child is being kept away from school - and it would appeat that her parents are not really doing anything to get her either back to school or to another school.
Of course, we have only heard one side of this story and it would be interesting to hear what the so-called 'bullies' have to say about Nicola Watson. Why doesn't the Gazette report that?
Posted by: Julia, overseas on 11:47am Tue 6 Mar 07
Dear Teo de Lellis, Basingstoke
In what ways and support did you manage and receive to sort out your own child's bullying at school?
Dear Teo de Lellis, Basingstoke
In what ways and support did you manage and receive to sort out your own child's bullying at school?
Posted by: tricia ross, leeds on 12:25am Sat 12 May 07
My daughter is also at a catholic school - Cardinal Heenan in Leeds and has been excluded from her friendship group. The school have not tackled the issue of social exclusion which is against their anti bullying policy and have not taken any decisive action to challenge the girls who have excluded her. It seems that whilst schools may have an anti bullying policy because this is now a legal requirement, this is not backed up by procedures or specialist training for staff. We are totally disillusioned by the response of the school which has by its actions endorsed the bullying behaviour of the girls concerned. We feel that the failure to deal with our complaint has made matters worse. It does not help that one of the principal bullies is the daughter of a member of staff.
My daughter is also at a catholic school - Cardinal Heenan in Leeds and has been excluded from her friendship group. The school have not tackled the issue of social exclusion which is against their anti bullying policy and have not taken any decisive action to challenge the girls who have excluded her. It seems that whilst schools may have an anti bullying policy because this is now a legal requirement, this is not backed up by procedures or specialist training for staff. We are totally disillusioned by the response of the school which has by its actions endorsed the bullying behaviour of the girls concerned. We feel that the failure to deal with our complaint has made matters worse. It does not help that one of the principal bullies is the daughter of a member of staff.
Posted by: Adell fisher, Birmingham on 1:23pm Mon 16 Jul 07
Icarnt belive what ive just read how awfull the schools and police are getting so bad.I thought i was on my own.You can read my story if you search on google and look for PARENTS WHO BULLY OTHER PARENTS,best wishs.[bold]bold[/bold]
Icarnt belive what ive just read how awfull the schools and police are getting so bad.I thought i was on my own.You can read my story if you search on google and look for PARENTS WHO BULLY OTHER PARENTS,best wishs.
Posted by: BOB, New York on 6:13pm Fri 19 Oct 07
im sorry to her that your doughter was hurt in a gang of girls. why would they do that to her. what did she do to to have that happen to her. if she did notthin they hade no reason to to that.
im sorry to her that your doughter was hurt in a gang of girls. why would they do that to her. what did she do to to have that happen to her. if she did notthin they hade no reason to to that.
Posted by: Bob, New York on 6:14pm Fri 19 Oct 07
im sorry to her that your doughter was hurt in a gang of girls. why would they do that to her. what did she do to to have that happen to her. if she did notthin they hade no reason to to that.
im sorry to her that your doughter was hurt in a gang of girls. why would they do that to her. what did she do to to have that happen to her. if she did notthin they hade no reason to to that.
Posted by: Mark Daly, West Bromwich on 10:47pm Sat 19 Jan 08
It seems that taking your child out of school is often the only solution to bullying, and for parents who wish to pursue this choice I have a web page which deals with deregistering your child. It's at: [bold]http://www.squidoo.c
om/bullying_at_schoo
l[/bold]
It seems that taking your child out of school is often the only solution to bullying, and for parents who wish to pursue this choice I have a web page which deals with deregistering your child. It's at:
http://www.squidoo.c
om/bullying_at_schoo
l
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