Am I being an over-protective mum? Help!

[Rach2008]

My son is in Year 7 at his secondary school (the 1st year, for those of us who do old money!) - it is in a different gegraphical area completely to his primary school, so he did not know anyone to start with. He is a placid,sensitive and intelligent boy (comfortably achieved level 5 in all subjects at the end of Year 6) who just missed out on a place at the local grammar school. The school he is at now is new and has a poor reputation,behaviour and achievement level but was the only one available within a 15 mile area. He has been constantly picked on,verbally and physically attacked (i.e being punched in the stomach (winding him badly) and the private parts (leaving him doubled over in pain and crying in the corridor - at this point, 3 teachers simply walked past and did not even ask him if he was ok) - this has happened on at least 8 occasions. In the autumn term, I took him to our GP due to concerns over him expressing a wish to end his life, because he feels unworthy, because of all this. The GP advised talking to the school counsellor - this has changed nothing at all. His words to me tonight were 'I can't do anything because if I do,they will get their mates in Year 10 to beat me up and I'll end up with broken arms'. I rang the school and am waiting for a call from his tutor, as all the teachers leave when school finishes at 3. I have been to see his personal tutor before,to no effect. What should I do? Should I (as my conscience is telling me to) keep him out of school until I can find an alternative? Why don't the teachers seem to care? Any genuine advice would be gratefully received - thank you in advance.

[Rach2008]

Hello all - just thought I'd update you all.

We spent a lot of time in meetings with the deputy head, who was adamant it would get sorted out. My son came home today, he was in the lunch queue and was punched 20 times in the back by some little s**t, whilst another taunted him and poked him, a teacher (as yet unknown,but I will find him) was stood two feet away and ignored it.

I gave the school a final chance, but that is it now - I am shaking with rage! He will not be returning to that 'school' - used in the loosest of terms. BTW it is Park Lane Halifax - warn anyone who may come across it.