Boy, 11, 'left covered in blood by school bullies slicing him with glass shard'
A mum has said she will never forget the image of her son, 11, "running through the door like he did with blood all over him" after being allegedly attacked by other kids who used a shard of glass to cut him.
Police are investigating the reported assault on Harrison-Lee, a Year 7 pupil at Cullompton Community College, on Monday, May 22.
Harrison-Lee said he was jumped from behind, pinned to the floor and punched continuously in the stomach and face by three boys, with one of his attackers using a shard of glass to 'slice' his arms and left leg.
His mum Charlotte Harris-Knight has hit out at the school, claiming her son told a teacher he had been threatened with an attack after school - information she says was not shared with her.
She has also criticised the school for punishing Harrison-Lee by putting him in isolation for what she says was an attempt to defend himself against bullies at school after he was cornered before the after-school attack.
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Harrison-Lee's stomach pictured shortly after the alleged attack (Charlotte Harris-Knight)
The boy's ripped trousers (Charlotte Harris-Knight)"My son could have been stabbed or even killed, which could have been prevented if the school had phoned me with Harrison-Lee's revelation to make sure I collected him from school," she told DevonLive.
"Not once did I get a phone call and not once was I made aware of any goings on in the school which led to this. My son nearly didn't make it home."
The school reportedly said the matter is being looked into and that it will not tolerate bullying or violence of any kind.
Charlotte said the incident began on Monday over a football match at break time that saw her son being targeted by a group of three boys for the rest of the day. It escalated to the point where she claims he was seen on CCTV being cornered by the boys and he threw a punch so as to escape.
That day, at after-school detention for being late to lessons, it is claimed he told a teacher that he had been threatened with "being jumped" after school. He said her response was, "make sure you mention it to your mum after you get home".
The pupil goes to Cullompton Community College (Charlotte Harris-Knight)Harrison-Lee was then allegedly attacked, sustaining cuts, bruising to the stomach, and a black eye.
Charlotte said: "He managed to get away and he ran straight home. I will never in my life get the vision of my son running through the door like he did with blood all over him.
"He has never been bullied in secondary school before. He has got a very big friend network and this was literally over a football game at break time in school where a tackle went wrong."
Harrison-Lee was taken out of school by his mum on Wednesday after being put in isolation for a second day.
She said: "All the school will tell me is 'everything is under investigation'. I don't even know if the children who attacked him have been suspended or are in school.
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"If they are still investigating then why was my son in isolation? They have been punishing him for defending himself in school despite then being attacked later. He is not the fighting type and hates bullies.
"I am absolutely appalled and disgusted by the school. As far as I'm concerned they did not follow their own safeguarding protocol and yet are chucking protocol at my son for defending himself in a three-on-one attack in school."
At a meeting with the school on Thursday, Charlotte says it has been agreed that her son will no longer be put in isolation and that the investigation is ongoing.
Charlotte has shared details of the attack on social media and claims she has been contacted by many parents who say their children are being bullied at the school.
She said: "I had more than 30 parents message me on Wednesday asking me to speak up for them when I take the matter higher to the governors and education board. They have shared stories of failed attempts of sorting out bullying problems being experienced by their children.
"I have spoken to the school on behalf of other parents and children to try and help this from happening to at least one other student."
A spokesperson for the college told DevonLive: “As a school, the safeguarding, health and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority. We uphold the highest expectations for all students and have a zero-tolerance policy towards any violent or bullying behaviour. We are currently investigating this incident in line with our robust safeguarding, behaviour and anti-bullying policies and we can provide assurance that any necessary action will be taken following the conclusion of this investigation.
“We are also working closely with the family involved to ensure appropriate support is in place as part of our aims to foster mutual respect and kindness throughout the school and provide a safe, calm and productive learning environment for all students. As always, we encourage our students, families and staff to always raise any concerns directly with us, so we can investigate and support as necessary.”
Police have confirmed an investigation has been launched into the alleged attack. They are also appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Police are investigating an assault on a schoolboy in Cullompton on Monday, May 22. The boy was walking home when he was assaulted by another male in an alleyway on Exeter Road.
"The victim was punched twice and sustained scratches and bruises. He managed to escape and ran home. The incident happened just before it was reported to police around 5pm.
"Police are investigating and appealing for any witnesses to report information on online or telephone 101, quoting crime reference 50230148746."
The Mirror has contacted Cullompton Community College for comment.
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