Thank -you Julie for all your comments. It was a very stressful time for all of us but as time goes on I'm more and more certain we did the right thing. Thankfully none of the bullies are going to the same school as her as we moved 2 yrs ago and kept her at the same primary school to avoid any disruption. So they will all go to their local schools which we are out of the catchment for. I have informed her new school of what has happened and they have met myself and my daughter and they were very supportive. She has made friends around where we live and will be starting in September with one of them and the yr 7 head is going to try and put them in the same form.
You are quite right it was so difficult to approach my friends about their childrens behaviour. But never did I think they would react in the way that they have.
I had thought about Karate for her as they have a club at the school where she will be going, just to give her a little self confidence. She is really looking forward to her new school and appears to have put the past behind her (I hope).