A terrified pupil at a trouble-hit school says that she had to flee lessons before they’d finished because she feared being attacked by bullies.
The 13-year-old lived in fear of being ‘banged out’ at Starbank School in Yardley, Birmingham, where pupils have been filmed punching one another and parents have demanded metal detectors.
The teenager, who wishes to remain anonymous, says other children were ‘making her life hell’ at the school, which is currently at the centre of a knife crime investigation.
Speaking with parental permission, the girl said she was so scared of being beaten up on the way home that she swapped full-time education there for part-time.
She broke down in tears as she said: ‘I’m scared of coming into school because I’m sure stuff is going to happen. I have to run home every day because I know I might get banged out.
Pictured: Pupils at the school in Yardley, Birmingham, punch each other. A 13-year-old pupil says violence at the site has forced her to go part-time
Shocking footage taken at the school shows children brawling and one terrified youngster has revealed that she is now too frightened to stay a full day at school
‘There’s lots of school rivalry and talk of knives being brought in. Every day it gets worse and worse. They tell me to go to hell.’
Last month, shocking video footage emerged showing pupils fighting in the corridors and on the school fields.
The girl (pictured) wishes to remain anonymous as she speaks out about the troubled school
Teachers and parents at the school have talked about regular ‘Thursday fights’, although some say brawls break out throughout the week.
Some members of staff went on strike at the school on June 27, claiming they were worried about a lack of safeguarding for teachers and pupils.
There have also been calls for the school to bring in metal detectors to check for pupils carrying weapons.
The girl added: ‘My friend gets bullied a lot, in fact every day she comes in she gets bullied. A girl pushed her over and then they all joked about it.’
Her mother said she had requested a meeting with the governors and had been offered mediation but it was not helping resolve the issue.
‘My daughter comes home nearly every day in tears,’ she said. ‘I have her home early because I don’t feel she’ll be safe walking home. She used to love school but not any more.
‘She’s on a part-time timetable because she doesn’t feel safe at lunchtime and after school. I’ve been told she needs to be back in full time education which I totally agree, I want the best for my daughter.’
Pupils at the school hold regular ‘Thursday Fights’ and police are investigating after two boys were caught with a knife
During the strike on June 27, parents said they were scared for their children’s safety and called for metal detectors to be installed at the gates to prevent pupils bringing in knives.
West Midlands Police are investigating after two boys were found with a knife at Starbank just after 8.30am on June 3.
Councillor Jayne Francis, cabinet member for education, skills, and culture at Birmingham City Council said: ‘We are deeply disappointed by the recent reports of violence at Starbank School as this does not reflect the experience of our students and staff.
‘While there have been isolated incidents in school, these have been extremely rare and have been dealt with appropriately, in-line with city-wide safeguarding policies and the school’s records reflect this.
Pictured: Boys punch one another at the school, which is currently being investigated. Teachers went on strike there over concerns for staff safety last month
This footage shows pupils clamouring during a Thursday Fight at the school in Birmingham
Pictured: Concerned teachers strike over safety fears at the school, where two boys were found with a knife
‘Pupil behaviour at Starbank School is well-managed and the school environment continues to be safe for both pupils and staff. If parents have any concerns, parent workshops are being held to facilitate discussion or they would be actively encouraged to speak to the headteacher directly.’
Executive headteacher Satnam Dosanjh sent a letter to parents on June 27, saying: ‘We would like to reassure you that pupil behaviour is well-managed and the school environment continues to be safe for both pupils and staff.
‘While there have been isolated cases of knife possession in school, such incidents are extremely rare and are dealt with in-line with city-wide safeguarding policies.’