Police are investigating claims that a nine-year-old girl was knocked unconscious by a bully after having her head smashed against a hand-drier at a Highland primary school.
Glen Mason reported the alleged assault on his daughter Skye to police and staff at both North Kessock Primary and Highland Council.
But he claims the school and local authority are not treating the complaint seriously.
Police have confirmed inquiries into an alleged assault are ongoing, while a Highland Council spokeswoman would not comment on individual pupils – but added they took complaints about bullying “very seriously”.
Mr Mason was furious because he says that Skye was not taken to hospital or seen by a first aider after suffering a head injury at the school.
He also said he was not informed of the incident until his daughter arrived home and had told him she had been “knocked unconscious” while being bullied.
The distraught dad was sent an e-mail apologising for the handling of the immediate medical care of his daughter, but claims the school and local authority have dismissed the allegation of bullying.
He said: “Skye has been subjected to bullying at the school for the past two years, but I just keep getting fobbed off.
“On this occasion, Skye came back home and told me she had her head banged into a hand-drier in a toilet and was momentarily knocked unconscious.
“She was given no medical treatment apart from an ice pack on her head. I took her to the doctor after she came home, who said she was concussed, so I kept her off school.
“The school did not contact the police, so I contacted them and we have been interviewed.”
Mr Mason added: “The school is putting it down to an accident during a game between the two girls, and that the other girl had apologised to Skye – basically making it the end of the matter as far as they are concerned.”
The father showed the Press and Journal a catalogue of paperwork outlining previous complaints of bullying, adding: “They always come back with the same answer, that it is down to accidents during playground games or Skye’s anxiety. They have spoken to the other girl and believed her story, while they have not spoken to Skye.”
Mr Mason is demanding a probe into alleged bullying at the school.
A police spokesman said: “We can confirm a report has been made and that inquiries are at an early stage.”
