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Friday, 21 January, 2000, 10:53 GMT

School for bullying victims

A school for has been set up for the victims of bullying.

The Red Balloon Learning Centre in Cambridge is seeking to provide a safe and reassuring environment for pupils who have been regularly bullied in their own schools.

As well as academic lessons, the first 10 pupils at the school are given counselling and support designed to restore their confidence.

The pupils are encouraged to talk about their experiences, which have often involved prolonged periods of physical and verbal assaults.

The school's youngest pupil, 11-year-old Juliet Chippendale, recalled the sense of isolation when there was "no one to talk to" about the teasing at her old school.

Peter Parnwell, a 15-year-old, attempted suicide after two years of regular attacks, during which he suffered black eyes and broken bones.

"I know what other children who are bullied are going through, because I've been there myself.

"There is a way out, but you have to have somewhere like this to come to," he said.

The school's founder, Carrie Herbert, says that she set up the school when she discovered that were no places for pupils who were too scared to attend their own school.

"Students come here damaged. We take that damaged child and we nurture them as if they were in an intensive care incubator in a hospital. We listen to them, nurture them, we believe them, we trust them," said Ms Herbert.

Local education authorities pay for pupils to attend the non-profit school and it is intended that pupils will eventually return to mainstream schools.

Related to this story:
Samaritans launch online schools pack (10 Jan 00 | Education)
Father's fears for bullied daughter (07 Jan 00 | Education)
Students launch anti-bullying cards (03 Nov 99 | Education)
'Bullies are healthiest pupils' (14 Dec 99 | Education)
Heads urged to tackle bullies (04 Jan 00 | Education)

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