Fury as BB gun boy expelled

EXCLUSIVE

THE mother of a 12-year-old boy expelled from Saddleworth School has hit out at the draconian measure which she says could ruin his life.

Patrick Reeves was permanently excluded for firing a BB gun on school grounds, as he and a friend headed for the bus stop after school.

His mother, Charlene, said: “Patrick made a silly mistake and yes he should be punished but expelling him is not the answer, it’s way over the top.

“He’s always had A-plus grades and he’s never been in trouble before.

“This will potentially destroy his life. Both Patrick and myself are devastated, our life is in turmoil, and I’m disgusted at the way he was treated.

“He is not allowed to go out during school hours so I have had to get a child minder, which is costing me a fortune.

“I can’t stay at home with him, I have to work,” said the single mum who also has two other children, aged four and nine.

The angry mother said she was told her son can go to a pupil referral unit for children who have been excluded, but she refuses to send him, insisting it is not appropriate.

The incident happened three weeks ago, and the first Mrs Reeves (28) knew about it was when her son came home 10 days later (nov 18) and said he had been suspended.

“I am furious that I wasn’t told about it earlier and that Patrick was interviewed by the school without me being present,” she said.

“Just after he told me he was suspended the ‘phone rang and it was the school.

“They put it across it was a real gun and I hit the roof,” said Mrs Reeves, who is a single mum and has two other children, aged four and nine.

“But then I found out it was a BB gun, I researched it and found it’s a plastic toy that costs £1, it’s a gun that all little boys play with.

“It wasn’t even Patrick’s gun, it was his friends, and he hasn’t been suspended - surely it should be one rule for all.”

She added: “If someone makes a mistake in life they shouldn’t just throw them in the bin, surely they should get a second chance.

“I asked the school to look at his record and look at the person he is but they wouldn’t listen, and now he has been permanently excluded.

“They had my full support to punish him but expelling him is ridiculous, Patrick said the boys were all treating it as a big joke, there was no harm done and no-one was hurt.”

She added: “Patrick’s father is very supportive and none of the children have ever played with guns.”

Mrs Reeves, who lives in Lees, also criticised the school for “doing nothing” when her son was “battered” by bullies earlier in the year, leaving him with a black eye.

“All they said was he could stay in at lunchtime to stay out of their way,” she said. “I can’t believe no action was taken for bullying, yet Patrick is expelled for this.”

Patricia Cornish, Headteacher of Saddleworth School said: “It is not school policy to discuss individual cases.

“Saddleworth School has clearly set out policies on the standards of behaviour that it expects from pupils and clear procedures for dealing with unacceptable behaviour.

“Permanent exclusion is a serious matter and not something that is initiated without good cause.”