DOVER EXPRESS. READERS' LETTERS

FRIDAY, JULY 20th 1990

School support

    I WAS both appalled and dismayed by the article (Dover Express, July 26) regarding supposed bullying. Not only at its content (with its foundations doubtful in the extreme) but at the fact that it was published at all.
    Having had very close links with River schools, my son in fact having been in the same class as the complainant's son throughout his primary life, and then to enter the Boys Grammar school at the same time, I can verify that both establishments are held in very high regard in the area, both for the caring atmosphere designed to promote the very best in the individual and in their united total abhorrence of bullying.
    A matter if brought to their notice is dealt with swiftly and with the seriousness it deserves.
    However, individuals must be taught from home to be able to cope with character clashes, day to day living in a large community and how to deal with the hustle and bustle of school life. (I think you'll find most boys have had their bags trodden on and do not find it remarkable or even noteworthy).
    If they can't cope with day to day living at school it is going to be extremely 'hard in the big wide world outside.
    To any parents with sons about to embark on a new school life at the Dover Boys Grammar School, take heart. The majority of parents and pupils are more than happy with the school and would recommend it to anyone.

Mrs H. Causer

Meadway,

River.

    I AM writing as a parent of a first year boy at Dover Grammar School, a child who also attended River Primary School.
    In my experience both schools have dealt swiftly and firmly with any 'bullying and intimidation' that has been brought to their notice.
    I do accept that in any such establishment there is the potential for this kind of behaviour, but it is, I believe, less in both establishments than elsewhere.
    As parents we have been impressed by the atmosphere of the Boys Grammar School.
Mrs J. Edwards

Crasbble Avenue,

Dover.

    AS senior pupils at Dover Grammar School For' Boys we read the allegations of bullying with great concern.
    One of our duties as prefects is to patrol the junior school corridor during all break and lunchtimes and at no time have we found it necessary to approach a member of staff over problems of misbehaviour of any kind.
    Within the school we form friendships with boys of all ages, reinforcing a strong sense of community which prefects are very aware of, and we thus feel we have a valuable inside ear on the well being of forms and pupils.
    We would therefore like to reiterate that as boys we have experienced none of these alleged problems in a school where we try to maintain a helpful and friendly atmosphere.

The Prefects (Dover Boys Grammar)