Kentish Express Ashford & District

Schoolgirl pushed and chased by crowd in shock online video

- By Vicky Castle and Molly Mileham-Chappell

A shocking video has emerged of a girl apparently being bullied at Tenterden’s Homewood School. But the principal has insisted the situation is under control.

In the grim footage, which has been views thousands of time on Facebook, a teenage girl is pushed and shoved by another girl while dozens of other pupils watch and film the scene on their phones.

The victim can be seen trying to get away but is followed by her attacker and crowds of other schoolchil­dren.

In a statement this week Homewood principal Sally Lees said the disturbing footage is from an incident at the Ashford Road school in July.

She said: “We are aware that a video has been posted on a Facebook page relating to an incident which took place at Homewood.

“We believe the police have also been made aware of the post. This incident was fully investigat­ed at the time – we will never accept any bullying or intimidati­ng behaviour towards students and we take robust action to address these situations when they arise.

“Students at Homewood almost always treat each other with respect and tolerance, but there are times when students do not behave appropriat­ely and we have a clear behaviour policy which sets out the action we will take under these circumstan­ces.

“We cannot discuss sanctions taken against individual pupils but our sanctions are set out in our Ethos for Learning Policy which is available on our website.

“The posting of this video has been distressin­g for those involved and staff at the school have met with the family to provide any support we can.”

The video was shared to Facebook site Brawl Park, which posts videos of street fights, and attracted more than 30,000 likes.

It received hundreds of comments, with many people condemning the vicious attack.

One parent, who asked not to be named, said: “This is not the first time the pupils at this school have caused mayhem.

“I have had to write to the head teacher twice about rotten antisocial behaviour on the school buses. Nothing ever seems to improve.”

It is understood the footage has since been taken down from social media.

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexp­ress@ thekmgroup.co.uk

 ??  ?? Shocking footage which apparently shows a girl being bullied has been viewed thousands of time on Facebook
Shocking footage which apparently shows a girl being bullied has been viewed thousands of time on Facebook
 ??  ?? Principal Sally Lees and right, more footage from the video
Principal Sally Lees and right, more footage from the video
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