'OVER THE TOP'
My son, 12, has been excluded from school after taking a TOY GUN to McDonald’s – I’m devastated
A "DEVASTATED" mum has blasted her son's school after the 12-year-old was permanently excluded for taking a toy gun into McDonald's before class.
Pauline Pollard says Mitchell will now be considered as a "dangerous" boy after he was booted out of Chris Church in Yardley Wood, Birmingham.
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The tough school opened in September last year, and Pauline claims it's known for being "harsh" on pupils.
Mitchell took the black and yellow gun to the eatery and passed it to a friend, who then "shot a couple of pellets at two pupils", she told the
Pauline 53, said the headteacher's reaction was "over the top" - and the Church of England academy is just like an "army camp".
"We found quite early on that the school is quite harsh," she told the paper.
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"While we appreciate that they are going to try and set a benchmark and a precedent for a brand new school, they are a little bit over the top in punishment."
The self-employed cleaner claimed police had found no grounds to investigate.
However, a "misunderstanding" a week earlier left a "blemish" on Mitchell's record at the school.
During a class debate on the three items pupils would take to a desert island, she said Mitchell "joked" about packing a pair of scissors to "stab himself in the neck" as he wouldn't want to be alone.
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And she claims a teacher misheard this remark and thought Mitchell was making a threat.
The gun used was a toy and does not shoot BBs, but small plastic pips, she added.
"It's entirely unfair for Mitchell," she said.
"Is he going to be subject to a naughty boy's school or what?
"At this moment in time, I don't know.
"He is not being educated in any way."
Mark Bowman Dalton, headteacher at Christ Church, said: "Any exclusion is not made lightly and will follow the statutory guidance set by the Department for Education.
"Each case is treated fairly and will be reviewed by a panel of governors.
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"Christ Church, Church of England Secondary Academy sets clear boundaries that encourage excellent behaviour and ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in the learning environment."
Sun Online has contacted West Midlands Police for comment.
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