A MOTHER who has been keeping her 13-year-old daughter out of school to avoid bullying has said she feels nothing has been done by the school to help.

The St Albans woman has allowed her daughter to be absent from St Albans' Girls School for the past three weeks because she believes the girl has been systematically bullied by classmates over two years.

The mother said: "She is like a prisoner in her own home. She has been kicked and punched, had water thrown at her and clothes torn.

"We have had silent phone calls on the home phone and to her mobile.

"She will no longer go out to play and will not go into town unless I am with her. She has been getting colds and mouth ulcers, has nightmares and grinds her teeth all night, all her confidence is gone.

"I realise that I am breaking the law by keeping my daughter off school but what choice do I have? I have been trying to help her keep up with her work but there is only so much I can do.

"I informed told the school on several occasions and identified who the bully is but feel that nothing has been done. I have written letters, traded e-mails, asked my GP to send a letter to the school and still feel I am getting nowhere.

"I find the meetings I have had to attend in the school very intimidating as I have had to attend alone with no support from a partner.

"The fight has gone out of me and my daughter and I now think the only answer is too transfer schools."

The woman has now contacted Hertfordshire County Council which is the local education authority to discuss a transfer.

St Albans Girls' School headteacher Valerie Booth said the school has a very comprehensive anti-bullying policy that highlights several people a pupil is encouraged to approach if they feel they are being bullied.

Mrs Booth said: "We are attempting to resolve this situation and we have informed the parents of the accused girl and taken action to punish her.

"We take bullying extremely seriously and have been encouraging further communication with the parent of the absent girl so she can return to her lessons as soon as possible.

"Unfortunately it is difficult to discuss and deal with the matter until the student and the mother come in to school and we can find a solution together."

October 2, 2002 11:00