Bullied girl back in school

The bullied 13-year-old girl who was withdrawn from a Nottingham school has gone back following the suspension of two other pupils.

Amie Salmon found herself in the news in mid-February after her school, Glaisdale Comprehensive, assigned her a teacher to whom she could turn if she felt threatened.

She was also allowed to carry a mobile phone in school - normally pupils are not - to summon help.

Amie said she had been bullied repeatedly by a gang of girls.

She used the phone after going in to school on 17 February to contact her mother to say that she had been called names again.

Her mother, Michelle, went to collect her and said she would not be sending her back to school until the alleged bullies had been expelled.

The headteacher, Tim Moralee, and the local education authority promised an investigation.

The authority, Nottingham City Council, now says that two other pupils have been excluded from the school temporarily.

Pupils' welfare

In a statement, the council's education department said the school had had to ascertain the facts and take into account the seriousness of the allegations.

"The school also had to consider the welfare of all the pupils involved and the long-term implications of any action that might be taken.

"The school was working through this process and it is perfectly proper that it has taken time to carry out a full investigation and plan an appropriate response for all those involved.

"These investigations have concluded this week and the result is that two pupils have been excluded from school, one for eight days and one for five days starting from Wednesday, March 1.

"The response reflects the outcome of the school's investigations and the seriousness of the issue, in line with the government guidelines on the appropriate use of exclusion.

"The pupils and their parents will be meeting the school to discuss the issues and to prevent future unacceptable behaviour, so that these young people can continue their education at Glaisdale school without further disruption."