A FATHER is threatening to pull his son out of school saying the youngster was suspended after standing up to classroom bullies.

Alex Hunt, of Ferrier Close, Rainham, says he is considering teaching his son Kieran at home because he believes he is no longer safe at school.

He claims Kieran, 15, has been the victim of bullying at The Howard School, in Rainham, for five years.

In the past 18 months Mr Hunt has reported several incidents to police, including when Kieran was allegedly beaten up outside the school gates by a gang of pupils in December 2006, and a playground assault in May 2007 that left Kieran needing hospital treatment.

A pupil was arrested and formally cautioned by police in connection with the second incident, but was only suspended from school for two days.

The latest incident happened Monday of last week.

Mr Hunt said: “Kieran was being goaded by another pupil in class. He picked up a chair in haste, but then thought better of it and put it down again. He was then set upon by the other boy and one of his friends.

“Kieran came home very shaken, with a black eye and a split lip. As a result of this incident, he has been suspended for five days, when he wasn’t the one in the wrong. The school will not tell me what has happened to the other boys.”

Mr Hunt has reported the alleged assault to the police and made a formal complaint against the school.

The 42-year-old said: “Kieran has had to put up with bullying for the whole time he has been at that school, he can’t wait to leave. He is in his last year and he has been predicted good GCSE grades.

“The school’s reaction to this incident and to others in the past is inadequate. We have faced a battle over the years to get them to do something about the situation. The school is sending a message to these bullies that they can get away with it.

“I am now seriously considering teaching him at home because I don’t feel the school can provide a safe environment for my son.”

The school defended its decision to suspend Kieran.

Paul Morris, head teacher at The Howard School, said: “At The Howard we take all bullying seriously.

“Our parent and pupil surveys indicate significantly reduced concerns during the last three years, which is indicative of the improvements that the school has made in achievement and behaviour management.

“In the incident concerned all three students were dealt with within the framework of the school’s disciplinary policy.”