Inquiry over allegations of racist bullying at school

Parents contacted police claiming their 10-year-old daughter was being victimised at Holy Infants and St Anthony’s RC Primary School in Astley Bridge.

It was the second time the school has been at the centre of bullying allegations.

The first led to five families withdrawing their children from the school.

The school says “immediate and appropriate” action was taken and children are happy at school.

But now one parent says she may be forced to take the same action.

The 35-year-old woman, who lives in Astley Bridge with her family, said the final straw was when she was “screamed” at by the father of the boy accused of bullying her daughter.

She added: “He was screaming at me because I spoke to the boy’s grandparents about what he was saying to my daughter.

“I reported everything to the police about my daughter and the aggression towards me.”

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “The council takes any allegations of racist abuse in any of our schools extremely seriously."

In a statement the school added: “At Holy Infant and St Anthony we have very few racist incidents.

“One such occurrence of name calling did come to light several weeks ago, which was only reported to us some time after the actual event.

“The school did take immediate, appropriate action in order to address this and there have been no further reports made to us.

“Our school is a happy one, in which children and staff respect one another.

“A local authority report earlier this term commented that behaviour at the school is good and noted no instances of inappropriate behaviour.

“These observations were supported by our most recent Ofsted and religious education reports, which both praised our very caring ethos.

“We always act promptly to address such incidents, should we be made aware of them, in order to maintain this happy atmosphere.”

Father John Flynn, from the diocese, said: “The diocese takes extremely seriously complaints such as those being made.”