11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi, my son has just started the term at Slough and unfortunately been bullied on the no 81 bus between Hounslow West and Slough. If anyone knows of a suitable young person looking for casual work during term time we would be very keen to hear from you. We're looking to hire a chaperone who could either do the full run by driving between Ealing and Slough, or using public transport part or all of the way. Would ideally suit someone on a gap year looking for a bit of casual income. The sole function would just be to travel alongside him -- no real skill needed -- the bullying was low level so it's not anything like a minder role! Thanks everyone.

None of my business, but are you sure this is the best way round the situation? Has he only just started?

Hi Plumbuddle


I appreciate it must be really worrying having this happen particularly if he has just started. I must say though that I agree with Katel that it may not be the best solution, I would be worried that your son may be teased more and ultimately bullied more if he is seen to need someone to accompany him.

Is it a school bus? Have you mentioned it to the school? I think sometimes it can be tricky for year 7s on the buses - but many find it all settles down - . I hope that this is very quickly the case with your DS but think may be best to look at other options first.

It was a worrying incident that spilled over from behaviour at the school and was witnessed and then stopped by my husband who was sitting separately as a way of bedding him down into independent travel because my DS is mildly visually impaired. It was public transport. The school are fully on board and may be able to discipline the bully into stopping. I would not let my DS go unchaperoned after the incident until we are clear that the group will lay off, but obviously if the chaperone was a cool young person so much the better. They are not required to sit beside him, merely to be on the same transport so as to stop anything else happening and give us feedback if it does. Or better still, if they drive it can all be done that much the quicker.

Happy to hear from anyone who has suitable contacts! Thanks everyone.

Fair enough! Can definitely see the sense in having someone more cool than dad!
Hope you find someone - does the school know of any recently left senior kids who could help out?

Isn't there an older pupil already travelling on the same route who could help?

Maybe it's better to change the route for a while
Why not to use FGW trains from Ealing Broadway to Slough? It takes around 20 minutes (also time consuming).

I've nothing useful to add but wanted to leave a comment to say how very sad I was to read this.
I hate the thought of your boy being treated by these pathetic pointless cowards in this way. I do really hope that you get a solution sorted soon and can get back to normal. Keep on at the school to work on their end of the deal. Bullies cannot be allowed to flourish. I can't believe that no-one on the bus has intervened, nor the driver.

Thanks for kindness everyone. The school has been fantastic and in fact one of the group who was with the bully without prompting went up the next day to check my DS was ok. so it could all die down. I'm still looking for assistance though just in case it does not, so that we parents don't make our poor son too uncool by hovering around!

I'd be trying to contact that child (the one who offered comfort the next day) and ask him/her to keep an eye on your DS, he/she sounds like the sort of person you're looking for!

So sorry to hear your DS has experienced this, it's not nice, not nice at all