A MUM has accused a Thornbury school of having a ‘big problem’ with bullying after revealing that her daughter was sent a death threat and was surrounded by 20 pupils in one incident.

The mum, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of causing her girl more problems, says a video was sent to her daughter in which another pupil at The Castle School made a death threat.

She said her daughter, a Year 8 pupil, has also suffered numerous physical assaults and homophobic taunts since she joined the school.

However, a spokesman for The Castle School said there are measures in place to tackle bullying.

The mum said that, during one incident, her daughter was surrounded by up to 20 children at the school in Park Road.

She said: “It’s a big school and staff cannot be everywhere but for 20 people to be circling a child, I cannot believe that went unnoticed.

“It’s a big problem across the school. I’m sure my daughter’s not an isolated incident.”

The mum said her daughter had also been a victim of cyber-bullying, with online taunts and threats.

Another mum, who also wished to remain anonymous, said her son had been bullied for years and described the school’s safeguarding as ‘absolutely terrible’.

A spokesman for the school said: “At Castle School, we are keenly aware that some students can suffer from the unkindness of others.

“No child identifies themselves as a bully, and yet we know that some bullying is a feature of all schools.

“It is imperative that the matter is taken seriously and addressed robustly.

“At Castle School, we are promoting the principle that we are a ‘telling school’ – this means that all students who might experience or witness bullying are encouraged to tell an adult, who will do their best to deal with the problem.”

The spokesman added: “All students have assemblies on what bullying means and the impact it can have on individuals.

“The school’s anti-bullying policy makes it clear that bullying will not be tolerated.

“We work proactively with the perpetrators of bullying, along with their families, to ensure they understand the consequences if it continues.”

Anyone who has been affected by bullying can find advice at

nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk