A MOTHER is keeping her teenage daughter off school unless a "bully" - whom she claims has made the girl's life a misery - is expelled.

Angela Monte said 15-year-old Kerrie has suffered verbal and physical abuse almost daily for more than 12 months at Kidderminster's Baxter College and is now on medication for stress.

Mrs Monte said she planned to look for another high school for Kerrie and arrange for her to study at home in the meantime.

She said the final straw came at the end of last month when she claimed Kerrie was pushed off her bike by the pupil while cycling home from school along Bewdley Hill.

Kidderminster Police are investigating the incident. Kerrie Monte with mum Angela, who is keeping her off school.

Acting headteacher Allan Gilhooley said he could not comment on specific cases but stressed the school took bullying very seriously and added most problems were resolved.

Last month another parent withdrew his son from the school following accusations of persistent bullying.

Senior education welfare officer Tom Hunter explained Worcestershire County Council's priority is to enable children can stay at their existing schools.

He said: "We would work with the parent to try and get them to keep talking to the school and we would offer our mediation service."

Mrs Monte, 37, of Jubilee Drive, Kidderminster, said Kerrie had become withdrawn over the past year.

"She used to be so outgoing and so lively but now she's withdrawn into herself. She can't cope with things."

Mrs Monte asserted her daughter, who she said "wanted to learn", has had to put up with being kicked most days and frequently came home early.

At the end of last year she said the teenager had to have her lip glued after it was split when she was thrown against a wall by the alleged bully.

But Mr Gilhooley, who will step down as headteacher at the end of this term, dismissed Mrs Monte's claims discipline was slack at the school.

"We've got a firm code of behaviour," he said, adding: "I reject the allegation teachers are not in control."

And he maintained bullying was no worse a problem at Baxter College than other schools.

Mrs Monte insisted she would risk court action rather than see her daughter go back to be bullied.

Mr Hunter said every child must receive a "suitable education" at school or at home and stressed prosecution was unlikely.

"If a parent works with us we probably wouldn't even consider it," he said.