A TEENAGER who claims she was physically attacked at school is fearful of returning to her studies in case of further reprisals.

Julie Pugh, the mother of Pershore High School girl Zoe, said her daughter had her hair pulled and neck wrenched back by another pupil. Mrs Pugh removed Zoe and her son from the Station Road school for their own safety.

Although Pershore High has procedures and guidelines laid down should bullying occur, and has acted by suspending the other Year 10 student involved in the assault, Mrs Pugh is fearful for her 14-year-old daughter's safety if the other girl involved returns in the New Year.

"I won't let my daughter go back to school until we're given a guarantee this girl won't return," she said.

"Zoe's no longer hurting from the physical attack, but mentally she feels scared. She's told me she'd rather leave the school then go back to feeling threatened."

Although headteacher Michael Krier would not comment on individual cases, he said the school had been successful in preventing and stamping out the small amount of bullying incidents over the years.

"This school has an unparalleled record of dealing with bullies and we've established and set procedures to go through which have always been very effective," said Mr Krier.

"I've sent a letter to Mrs Pugh explaining she's quite welcome to discuss any problems with myself and she can also express her views to school governors."

He said there were a number of channels open to Mrs Pugh, but so far she had not replied to his letter in order to fix up a meeting.

But the mum, of Appletree Road, Pershore, said although bullying procedures were in place, she felt in this situation the measures were not enough.

"The school has said if this girl returns and promises not to harm my daughter then that's enough," she said.

"But if my daughter is in physical danger I don't feel this is satisfactory. It's a gamble I don't want to take."