Union anger over school bullying claim

6:02am Tuesday 30th January 2007

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THE withdrawal of a belated compensation claim by a former North-East school pupil has highlighted the daily pressures of tackling bullying, according to union bosses.

A young mother had blamed her former school for blighting her life and career prospects by failing to protect her from a violent attack.

But at the end of the first day of a scheduled two-day hearing at Teesside Crown Court, Sara Cope decided to withdraw her claim.

Miss Cope took her case to court in an attempt to prove the school had failed in its duty of care when she had her nose broken by a fellow pupil in 1999.

Education bosses at English Martyrs School, in Hartlepool, rejected the claims.

Last night, the northern regional secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) said the litigious culture in this country was putting a significant strain on teachers and resources.

"It is a difficult for teachers when accusations are made against them," said Elaine Kay, of the NUT.

"I can't comment on this case in particular but it is something that teachers are vulnerable to.

"It puts a huge amount of pressure on everybody in education. Schools are working very hard to eradicate bullying behaviour."

The problem was highlighted when Miss Cope blamed the unprovoked assault outside her school for ruining her life and hampering her career prospects.

The 22-year-old mother-of-two accused school chiefs of failing in their duty of care towards her, despite having reported several threats of violence.

During the first day of the hearing, Miss Cope had said she had suffered bullying over a period of months, but it came to a head between May 1999 and July 7, when she was attacked.

As a result of the assault, which happened when she was 15, she said she had suffered nightmares and also claimed she had developed agoraphobia.

"I have not got a life any more," she said.

"If it had not happened I might have had my own hairdressing business."

She said she had suffered a broken nose when she was attacked by a fellow pupil following weeks of threats from other girls at her school.

No one was available for comment from the school last night.