Hi 3marchpickle and welcome to the forum.

I had a very similar situation with my eldest daughter when she was in her penultimate year at junior school. She was a petite girl, and a very sensitive and caring child who didn't have it in her to stand up to the bullies who again were children of friends/neighbours.

I lost count of the times I went into school over the year to see the Headteacher who would not accept that bullying went on in his school which, by the way, was a small village C of E school. In the end I decided that I would not put her through the suffering anymore, she had had enough and the school were doing nothing about it, to the point of denying that it was taking place so I took her and my younger daughter out of that school and moved them both to a different school so that she could enjoy her final year of Juniors.

To be perfectly honest, it was the best thing I did. She was able to have a happy final year, she changed completely and the old school would still not admit that they had a problem.

Im sure you have done the right thing, bullying is totally unacceptable behaviour but, as we know, it is all too prevalent in our schools. Your daughter is the main concern and Im glad that you say you can see a difference in her already - Im sure you also must have a feeling of great relief as you will have been suffering alongside her every day.

I hope she settles into her new school well and makes new friends and can put the nasty experience behind her.

And just one final thought - if the people you thought were your friends did not support you and your daughter through this most difficult time then at least you have seen their true colours and as upsetting as it is its time to leave them behind too and make new supportive friends who will help you through - you've made a good start by posting on here.

Best wishes for both you and your daughter.