A 12-year-old girl was repeatedly punched in a fight with a fellow pupil at Orchard School in Horfield, in front of a crowd of pupils who filmed the incident and shouted “smack her up”. Sumaiya Butt said the fight, which she describes as a “planned attack” in which she ended up on the floor, has traumatised her and she has barely left the house since the incident on December 1.
Headteacher at the school Julia Hinchliffe said the fight took place after the girls were out of sight from school staff who last saw the girls “smiling and talking to each other” as they headed down Monks Park Avenue. The assistant headteacher and Sumaiya’s parents have both contacted the police regarding the incident.
Her father, Zeeshan Butt does not feel the school or the police have dealt with the incident appropriately. The girl who was filmed punching his daughter was punished by the school with a one-day suspension which Mr Butt says is not enough to ensure the safety of his daughter.
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He said: “She hasn’t been eating properly, she hasn’t been coming out of her bedroom. She’s been having nightmares,” explained Mr Butt who said the headteacher has not spoken to the family since the incident.
Sumaiya said the pupil who punched her had been encouraged by her peers to physically attack her, and claims she had been bullying her for several weeks. She said that the girl who attends some classes with Sumaiya had previously been asked by teachers to sign an agreement in regards to the bullying - but she broke it the same day.
Sumaiya said: “The day before this happened she came up to me saying, ‘I’m going to beat you up’ and I just stood there, not knowing what to do. I was about to go to class and she got told by one of her friends in the group to just ‘swing’ for me.
“So she kept chanting, ‘I'll swing for her’ and she came back in my face and before she could throw a punch the teacher came and took us both away. I felt like this was a planned attack because I normally walk home with my sister but she had [GSCE] prep because she’s in Year 11.
“It’s just traumatising and it’s affected me a lot. It’s stressful and scary, I don’t want to leave the house. I don’t think a lot has been done and it’s not really fair. I go to school for an education, not to get beat up. A one day suspension is not a lot, I understand they have to follow things but not a lot has been done.
“She’s missed one day and now she’s back in school, doing what she’s doing and learning what she’s got to learn. And I’m sitting at home not learning the things I have to learn at school.”
Her father reported the incident to the police and said that his daughter will have to change schools because he can’t guarantee her safety. He said the family arranged a meeting with the school last week but the headteacher didn’t attend.
“She’s back in school while my daughter’s still at home. She’s missing out on her education and not going back to that school now. She brutally attacked her, smacked her on the head, several times. She’s gone into hospital, we’ve checked her head, there’s a bit of bruising,” added Mr Butt.
Mrs Hinchliffe said: “As a school we had held a restorative meeting between the two girls and agreed a behaviour contract. This was broken by both students, so both received a sanction in school.
“The two girls walked out of school with duty staff as usual on the school site. Duty staff walked the full length of Northwick Road to ensure all children were continuing on their way, and they reported both girls were calmly smiling and talking to each other, as they walked away down Monks Park Avenue.
“When out of sight of school staff, we do not know what was said, but the girls started fighting. We were appalled by the incident and one of the children was suspended for a day, in line with our behaviour policy.
“The police were contacted by the assistant headteacher regarding the incident. The pastoral manager and deputy headteacher met with the parent after the incident.
“Mum then met with the assistant headteacher as they were unhappy the police had not followed this up. The parents already have a meeting booked in with the Headteacher.”
Mr Butt is also unhappy with the response from Avon and Somerset police, who have not visited them at home since he reported the incident and he is concerned that they are “brushing it under the carpet”.
A spokesperson from Avon and Somerset Police said: “We can confirm we have received a report that a girl was assaulted on the afternoon of Thursday 1 December. Officers were told the victim had been punched a number of times by another girl at a school in north Bristol.
"The victim was taken to hospital by her family. Anyone who witnessed what happened, or has relevant footage that could help our enquiries, is asked to call 101 and give reference number 5222288463."
The spokesperson added that a text message and two voicemails were sent to the family since it was reported on December 1.
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