School calls police over nine-year-old boy caught playing sword-fighting game in playground using a ruler

Kyron Bradley’s mother said she was ‘disgusted’ with the school’s involvement with the police

Headteacher Geraldine Shackleton involved the police as part of ensuring the safety of her students and staff (http://stgeorgesbickley.squarespace.com/)

Police were called to a primary school to speak to a nine-year-old boy after he was caught playing sword-fighting games with a ruler.

The mother of Kyron Bradley, who attends St George’s Bickley CE Primary School, in Bromley, south east London, was called in to speak to the head teacher following complaints that the boy had been playing with a half-ruler in a mock sword-fighting game with two other boys.

Natasha Bradley, 27, told News Shopper that after speaking to the head she had “explained to my son it was a stupid game to play as he could have fallen with the ruler,” adding that “he cried but he understood”.

But two days after her visit to the school, on April 29, Bradley discovered the police had been called in by the school and asked to speak with her son.

Bradley, who described herself as a strict parent, said she was so disgusted with the way her son had been dealt with she “burst out crying”.

“I had already dealt with him myself. Why the police were involved I haven’t a clue?” she told the paper, adding that Kyron had never been in trouble for more than being “chatty” and that she had made a formal complaint over the incident.

The school’s headteacher Geraldine Shalckleton said in response: “I am expected to use my judgement and act appropriately to ensure children and staff in my school are safe.”

She said that schools work closely with local police as a matter of routine to gain help and guidance in these matters.

“Sometimes having a gentle conversation with children, with parents or guardians present, can help young people fully understand possible consequences of actions they have taken or have indicated they may take in the future,” she said.