Bullied girl's safety 'not guaranteed'

Jessica wrote in her diary that she wanted to die

The mother of a bullied nine-year-old girl driven to the brink of suicide has reacted angrily after being told the school still "cannot guarantee" her daughter's safety.

Jessica O'Connell wrote in her diary that she felt suicidal after two years of victimisation at St Wilfrid's Roman Catholic School, Ripon, North Yorkshire.

She described being hit, verbally abused and held down in a swimming pool.

Her mother Sarah now says she has no alternative but to remove her from the school permanently following a meeting on Friday with the head teacher, school governors and the local education authority.

I feel very let down by the education authority and the school Sarah O'Connell

She was told the pupil responsible for the bullying would not be excluded.

Mrs O'Connell told BBC News Online: "The school said it cannot 100% guarantee her safety.

"They said they wouldn't expel the bully because the school's police is inclusion not exclusion.

"I feel very let down by the education authority and the school."

Support group

Jessica's mother said she now intends to set up a support group for victims and families affected by bullying.

In her diary, Jessica wrote: "To mummy. I wish I was dead so I don't have to suffer any more pain xxxx. I love you."

Jessica has been kept out of school by her parents since 17 June and Mrs O'Connell said: "She is happy knowing she has not got to go back to the school.

"But I am disappointed she will not now get a Catholic education."

It is in the interests of Jessica, the school and the O'Connell family that this matter be given time and space to settle down Diocese of Leeds statement

St Wilfrid's is believed to have suspended a girl for one day as punishment for the alleged bullying.

The school and local education authority were unavailable for comment.

But in a statement the Diocese of Leeds said: "St Wilfrid's School is committed to the safe and happy return to school of Jessica.

"It has had in place policies for dealing with incidents for a long time. It will continue to follow these policies.

"It is in the interests of Jessica, the school and the O'Connell family that this matter be given time and space to settle down."