Bullied teen giant misses school

Matthew says he did not fight back through fear of getting into trouble

A 6ft 7ins, 18-stone teenager has not been to school for more than a year - because he says he was being bullied.

The parents of Matthew Ridley, 15, have allowed him to stay away from Kingsdown school, Swindon, after claims other children picked on him.

He is now gaining work experience at a builders' yard, and mother Mandy hopes he will soon get his confidence back.

The school said that all anti-bullying policies were always followed.

Matthew says the bullying began at junior school, where children called him names because he was overweight.

'School not to blame'

When he got to Kingsdown, the teenager claims other pupils tried to hit him.

But the 15-year-old said he did not want to fight back.

"I would have got into trouble for it," Matthew said.

"I would have probably knocked them out because they were half my size, skinnier than me and not as strong as me."

The teenager's parents say they do not blame Kingsdown school for the bullying.

A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson said the authority did not comment on individual cases.

"We have policies about bullying and work with schools to support individuals where necessary," a statement from the council said.