Girl, 7, ‘punched and scratched for singing pop songs by all-girl group Fifth Harmony’
Her mother has pulled her out of school and made a complaint
A LITTLE girl was scratched, kicked and punched at the school gates because she was singing her favourite pop song.
Seven-year-old Brooke Howes came home saying she was being bullied for humming tunes to herself.
Her mother, Lianne, is furious after Brooke told her in tears the reason for the bullying is because she is a fan of the all-girl group Fifth Harmony.
The youngster is now afraid of going to school after the latest attack left bright red scratch marks on her back, which 26-year-old Lianne witnessed as she waited to pick up her daughter at the school gates.
She said: "She was walking out of school when a boy came behind her and scrammed her back.
"She was wearing a summer dress and cardigan so it must have been done with some force to cause marks like that through her clothing.
"Brooke is really upset - she is scared of going to school."
Only child Brooke sings and hums the songs of the pop group regularly.
Lianne said: "It is just something she does and it's pretty harmless.
"But she says that's the only reason she can think of that three boys are bullying her.
"She was pushed over and hit her head, then she was punched, kicked and had her Chinese burns and her fingers bent back.
"One of the boys even spat in her face.
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"These are not playing accidents, this is not banter. This is boys doing things to my daughter in an attempt to cause her harm.
"Brooke is no angel and I know a bit of tit-for-tat goes on in schools.
"But I asked her teacher if my little girl did anything to warrant this sort of behaviour and she said 'no'."
In two meetings with staff at Larkrise Primary School in Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex, Lianne says nothing has been done.
She has now taken Brooke out of the school and complained to the Governors and Ofsted.
Headteacher Lisa Battersby said she could not comment on individual cases.
She said: "The wellbeing of pupils is of paramount importance to us and we have a robust anti-bullying policy in place.
"Pupil behaviour at the school is generally extremely good and bullying is not tolerated.
"I can assure parents that any allegations are investigated fully and prompt action is taken, where necessary."
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