A peninsula parent has expressed concerns at the way Holbrook Academy is dealing with disciplinary matters after a student was found to be in possession of cannabis at the school.

The youngster was reported to assistant head teacher Mr Frank Anstee-Perry after showing off the drugs to other pupils last week. The matter was investigated and the student was sent home from the Academy for three days, but is now back at school.

There were concerns about where the youngster got the cannabis but Nub News understands it was taken from a family member of the student who had it in their possession. The school refuse to say if the police were informed.

A number of parents have contacted Nub News about unsavoury events at the school and this latest incident involving a student from outside the catchment area has left them questioning the school's handling of disciplinary issues.

One parent told Nub News: "We have seen a few things going on, the widely reported knife incident at the beginning of term and now this, along with a child becoming ill after accidentally overdosing on medication, and an incident of a sexual nature, has left a few of us worried about our children.

"It doesn't help with apparent lack of action, for example the parent of the child who reported the possession of drugs was not contacted. She had to call the school and was fobbed off. It is not good enough, it seems the new headteacher has not got to grips with issues at the school."

The cannabis incident was reported to Mr Anstee-Parry who spoke to a parent of a child who complained of being harassed in relation after an apparent lack of action and told her the matter had been dealt with.

Nub News contacted Holbrook Academy but neither head teacher Mr Tom Maltby or anyone else has responded. The academy has refused to acknowledge the drugs incident took place, what action it took, if the police were informed, or what protection is given to students who report inappropriate or criminal behaviour, including offences such as drug or weapon possession, in the school.

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