Blantyre bully victim told to move to new school

Nov 13 2008 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A MUM this week claimed education bosses suggested that her daughter should move to another school to stop her from being bullied.

Karen Blyth said 13-year-old Kirsty has been targeted by bullies for several months at Calderside Academy in Blantyre and has called for action to stamp out bullying at the school.

Terrified Kirsty said she was told by a senior member of the teaching staff at the school that she ‘brought the bullying on herself’ – because she didn’t stand up to the bullies.

Kirsty told the Advertiser: “I haven’t done anything and I am being asked to leave the school. I feel as if I have been let down.”

Kirsty said she is being bullied because her mum stopped her from hanging around shops with a group of girls and boys.

“I moved class to the opposite end of the building and did my best to keep away from the bullies.

“But I am being targeted and singled out. It makes me ill thinking that I have to go to school.

“My education is being ruined because of this.”

Kirsty lives in Mansduddy Court with her dad John (41), mum and seven-year-old brother Declan.

Furious Karen hit out the bullies. The 34-year-old said the school should be doing more to stamp out bullying.

“I am absolutely disgusted what has happened to my daughter,” Karen said.

“Kirsty has been persecuted for a couple of months.

“I have had meetings with the education board and during these they told me that the best solution may be that I move my daughter out of the school.

“Why should she be penalised when she hasn’t done anything?

“We hear a lot about school children committing suicide because they are being bullied. This is a serious issue and all the school want to do is sweep it under the carpet.

“I asked the school could they guarantee my child’s safety and they said no.

“There is a poster up at the school saying that they have zero tolerance on violence and bullying.

“Bullying at this school is rife and the public should know what is going on there.

“My daughter is waking up at 1 and 2 in the morning and crying that she doesn’t want to go back to school.

“It’s heartbreaking for a parent to hear their child in this state.

“My daughter is a clever girl and loves school.

“But now she is terrified to go back in case the bullying starts again.”

A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman said they did not comment on allegations against individual teachers.

He added that action has been taken to tackle a number of matters brought to the attention of staff.

The spokesman added: “Pupils have been spoken to along with their parents. One pupil has been excluded.

“Unfortunatey, this incident seems to have stemmed from things that have occurred in the community and outwith the school.

“However, everything is being done to promote the benefits of positive relationships for all concerned.”