School plea for daughter

Fiona Howard • Published 4 Feb 2010 11:10

A 12-year-old Helensburgh girl has not been in full-time education since October after being involved in a series of disciplinary issues at Hermitage Academy.

And now mum Catherine McDonald wants her daughter Nicole to go to school in Dumbarton because she fears the first-year pupil would be bullied at Hermitage Academy - "not by the pupils, but by the teachers".

Nicole, who will soon be 13, has been tutored two days a week at Hermitage Primary School since she was allegedly told on November 5 that she was not welcome back at the Academy.

Nicole, who has lived in Helensburgh with her mum for eight years and attended Hermitage Primary, joined her friends for first year at the Academy in August.

All was going well until Nicole got into an argument with a fellow pupil and was suspended for three days.

Another suspension for three days followed and then came the final one, for five days, which was due to end on November 5.

However, when Nicole turned up for school on that date she says she was told she was not welcome and not to come back.

Her mum said: "I know Nicole is difficult and has anger problems, but these issues are being addressed by our support workers.

"I was in a very violent relationship with her father and she grew up with a lot of violence which has obviously affected her."

Catherine says she believes the reason Nicole is being picked on is because they are travellers.

"It is not usual for travellers' children to go to high school. Nicole wants to be a hairdresser so I wanted her to get tNicole said that she had lost her temper with the fellow pupil "but only after being constantly threatened by her and that no action had been taken against the other girl".

Nicole said that on another occasion she had sworn at a teacher after being reprimanded for being in a PE changing room without permission.

She said that she was unwilling to take part in a subsequent PE lesson. As a result, she was told that she had to spend time in another class.

"I told the teacher I wanted to go to the 'xl' classes but she said that I couldn't and had to go with her. I don't like being told what to do and I lost my temper and told her to move out of my way or I would slap her silly."

This resulted in the third and final suspension.

"I know it is wrong but I have sent letters of apology and am getting help with my anger."

And now Nicole says: "I have lost all my friends because they are mocking me for being back at primary school and I am only getting lessons two days a week and very little work to do between lessons."

Her mum said: "I really want her back in mainstream education but after the way she has been treated I don't want her back at Hermitage because I really believe they would continue to pick on her.

"I want the authorities to find her a place at school in Dumbarton because that is the nearest for travelling."

"The social workers who are supporting me all think that is what should happen but I don't seem to be getting anywhere and Nicole is missing out on her education."

A spokesman for Argyll and Bute Council said: "It would not be appropriate for us to comment on an individual case."

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