A heartbroken mum says her 12-year-old son returned home from school ‘covered in blood’ after a shocking classroom attack that was caught on camera.
The ‘disturbing’ incident occurred in February during a lesson in a classroom, however, the footage has only recently emerged on social media.
The shocking video shows a male pupil standing over the desk of another male pupil, before launching into a violent assault and throwing numerous punches at his head and body.
The video appears to show two adult staff members standing and sitting close to the incident as it takes place, with neither intervening during the part of the attack that was caught on camera.
The headteacher of The Academy of St Nicholas school in Garston said the ‘upsetting’ incident’ was ‘immediately and appropriately dealt with’ resulting in the suspension of a student, according to Liverpool Echo.
The school said this was followed by an appropriate reintegration plan and internal investigation.
Our newspaper has spoken to the mother of the victim of the attack. We have chosen not to identify the boy or his mother.
She said her son has been the victim of bullying and attacks from other pupils at The Academy of St Nicholas since he started there last year.
The tearful mother said she has now taken her son out of school following the February incident. She believes she has not had satisfactory responses to the many concerns and complaints she has raised with the school.
Speaking about the February incident, she said: “He came home that day and his uniform was covered in blood. We had to go to the hospital because he had really bad headaches and he has been so upset since. He doesn’t want to go back to school.”
She added: “My son has been physically and verbally attacked several times since he started at the school. I have written to the school to complain and have been to the school a couple of times and spoken with senior staff.
"I have still not have a proper response.”
The boy’s mother said she ‘could not get over’ the fact that the two adult staff members appeared to be watching on as her son was assaulted. She said: “Surely they have a duty of care to my son.”
Jeniffer Sing, the headteacher at The Academy of St Nicholas confirmed the action taken following the February incident and said an ongoing internal investigation is currently taking place.
She said: “There was a serious and upsetting incident inside a classroom at The Academy of St Nicholas in February of this year. This situation was immediately and appropriately dealt with at the time the incident occurred.
“As a result of the initial investigation, swift action was taken in accordance with the school’s policies, and this resulted in a suspension of a student. This was then followed by a thorough and appropriate reintegration plan, and this also included external support.”
She added: “There is an ongoing formal internal investigation taking place and this is yet to be concluded. This formal investigation needs to be allowed to carry on, which we are endeavouring to complete as quickly as possible.
“We need to ensure the investigation is thorough, fair and follows all the correct processes. We are continuing to offer extensive support to all children and families involved.
“The academy has a zero tolerance to violent behaviour and we will continue to educate our young people that there is no place for violence in our community.
“We have since held a drop-down day and further educated our students on how to keep themselves safe and look after each other. As an academy, we work hard to keep all students safe and teach them to be good citizens and be the best versions of themselves.”
Liverpool Council said it was made aware of the ‘disturbing video.’ A spokesperson added: “Our safeguarding team are working with the school to review their safeguarding investigation and the outcome.”
The council’s cabinet member for education, Cllr Tom Logan tweeted: “I met with parent re this horrific incident in February, and again more recently because of parents’ dissatisfaction with the schools’ response. Council working with school to review the schools’ investigation.”
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