A 14-year-old girl was allegedly "gripped by the throat and punched in the face" by a schoolboy at Alsop High School in Walton, Liverpool, according to her older brother. The incident occurred on March 16 following a dispute, and the family claims the school has failed to resolve the matter after four months.
Details of the Alleged Assault
The brother told the Liverpool Echo that there had been tension between his sister, who the Echo has chosen not to name, and her alleged attacker for some time. On the day of the incident, an argument broke out as his sister was leaving a lesson. "He said something to her and she responded, then he gripped her by her throat and hit her in the face," the brother said.
Both pupils were suspended following the incident, according to the brother. He reported the incident to the school on the same day, but says the family is still waiting for a resolution.
School and Trust Response
A spokesperson for Omega Multi-Academy Trust, which oversees Alsop High School, said the school is aware of the concerns and is taking them "extremely seriously." The trust declined to comment on specific details or individuals, stating that the incident is being reviewed in line with the school's safeguarding, behaviour, and complaints procedures. The spokesperson added that the incident has been addressed according to policy and outcomes have been communicated to the person raising the concern.
The brother disputes this, saying the family has called the school repeatedly but is "getting nowhere." He escalated the issue to Merseyside Police, who confirmed they are investigating reports that a pupil was grabbed by the neck and punched in March. Police are liaising with the school.
Family's Frustration
The brother contacted the Echo after reading a statement from Alsop High School on the Echo's website, where the trust claimed its policy is to respond to any complaint within 48 hours. He expressed outrage, saying this is "absolutely" not the case for his sister. "I'm going to defend my sister. It's upsetting for us and we're getting nowhere. I really didn't want to have to take it this far, but what else am I supposed to do? I don't feel like I have another option," he said.
The 14-year-old has been off school for two weeks because she does not want to attend. The brother said the family receives calls from the attendance officer but not about the incident, and his sister is missing out on her education.
The trust reiterated its commitment to working constructively with families and addressing concerns through appropriate channels.
