A CONCERNED parent is refusing to let her child return to St Gregory’s High School in September over fears the school is failing to tackle bullying.

Anna Butler, from Regency Park, described the situation at the school as ‘worrying’ after she discovered that her child had been the victim of bullying for the past five months.

The 32-year-old, who has decided not to name her daughter, said: “It just started off with name calling and she was told to ignore it but it has turned physical.”

Since the torment began, the year nine pupil, who will leave St Gregory’s at the end of the summer term to begin a new school in September, has been forced to endure insults, threats and even physical violence.

The known bully has been suspended in the past but has since been allowed to return to the school on Cromwell Avenue.

Mrs Butler added: “It is really is upsetting that one person is able to behave in this way. At what point are they going to realise changes need to happen.”

Since the bullying started in February, her daughter’s attendance record has dropped.

Mrs Butler added: “The school has a duty of care for her and they aren’t keeping to that. I feel she is not safe at that school. I do not know what it is going to take to say enough is enough.

“I’m not doing this because I have got a vendetta against the school. I just feel like changes are needed. I know that there are other parents who are concerned.”

A spokesman for the school - which failed its Ofsted inspection earlier this year - said it was unable to comment on individual cases but said it was ‘very much about helping the bully as well as the victim’.

In a statement from the school, it was outlined that the school has an anti-bullying policy in place, which is reviewed annually.

A whole school survey was also completed in March and pupils who felt they needed further support were allocated mentors and an anti-bullying working party, which consists of staff and pupils, meets weekly.

The school also uses the SHARP System, which allows young people to report any incidents which occur within the school.

This system is checked twice a day, seven days a week by a member of staff at the school.

Sixty pupils at the school are also anti-bullying ambassadors and four have since been nominated as national ambassadors.