A recent bullying incident at Beechwood Junior School in Southampton has upset the local community and angered many parents.
A heartfelt Facebook post in the “Midanbury, Bitterne Park & Riverside Area” group has brought attention to a young boy who is being bullied, and it has encouraged other families to share their own painful experiences.
The post came from Alison Gover, a resident living on Glenfield Avenue. She wrote directly to the mother involved:
“Message to the mum whose son is being bullied at beechwood hope you see this. The sadness in your eyes and your little lad sobbing is awful no one should go through that. I’ve been there years back with my kids.”
Via Facebook
Alison described the heartbreaking scene she witnessed, the mother’s visible distress, and her young son’s tears.
She shared that she had faced similar bullying with her own children years ago, which made her feel a deep connection to the family’s pain.
In a kind and practical way, she suggested contacting Southampton City Council’s anti-bullying officer.
She explained that the officer can attend meetings at the school with the parent and even speak directly to the parents of the child responsible for the bullying.
Alison ended her message with warm encouragement: “Stay strong you got this mum.“
The post quickly gained widespread support. Rosie Murrell replied that the mother is her sister and the boy is her nephew.
She said the family had seen the message and appreciated it greatly, adding hope that the school would finally take the matter seriously.
Alison responded warmly:
“I’m glad it’s reached her broke my heart seeing him like it my dog saw him and dragged me over we live on Glenfield Ave and he loves all the kids please give her my love and if she ever needs help message me x.”
Via Facebook
Other parents soon shared their stories, showing that this is not an isolated problem. Jemima Sergei wrote about her own child’s experience:
“My child was bullied and I took it to the school, who did nothing, this kid was physically punching and filming it and anyway I gave the school the benefit of the doubt and they didn’t do anything the second time I gave the bully the message directly and it stopped, sometimes no one confronts them and it’s the only thing that will work.”
Via Facebook
Kam Pahl commented on a nearby school but echoed wider frustrations:
“Bitterne Park School will never change, my son years ago and my daughter got bullied when she first started in year 7. Yet still some students still think they can get away with saying a few nasty things to other students who want to study and make something of their life. Bitterne Park school have way too many students and don’t know how to deal with them. It’s a nasty school. We have a responsibility to be there for our children. They come first.”
Via Facebook
Alison thanked everyone for their comments and responses. She wrote:
“Thankyou all for comments and responses I’m sure the mum can see she isn’t alone there is help an support out their as parents we want the best for our kids we send them to school expecting them to be cared for properly.”
Via Facebook
Beechwood Junior School, located in the Bitterne area of Southampton, is a primary school for children aged 7 to 11.
According to its own policies and recent Ofsted reports, the school states that bullying is taken seriously and is rare, with staff committed to safeguarding.
However, these parent voices highlight ongoing concerns about how such issues are handled in local schools.
Parents in the community Facebook group are uniting to demand stronger, faster action on bullying, using support from the council and the Anti-Bullying Alliance to help their families.
The hope now is that this visibility leads to real change at Beechwood and reminds everyone that no child, or parent, should face this alone.
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