Anger after pupil suspended over gun pictures

Aamina Masud • Last updated 13 Oct 2008 16:43 33 Comments

A TEENAGE grammar school pupil was suspended and quizzed by police after being snapped holding a gun.

Police officers questioned the 17-year-old Slough Grammar School student after headteacher Margaret Lenton saw a photo of the bearded-pupil posing with a paintballing gun in overalls with the full headgear. The image, which is on the internet, is believed to have been taken when the youngster went paintballing with a group of friends.

Police officers confirmed they met the boy and his family and were happy that no offences were committed.

A police statement added: "The student was found to be in possession of some pictures that were brought to the attention of the headteacher. To help address and prevent further concerns, officers arranged to meet with the student and his family. Officers were reassured that this is not a police matter. The family members were left happy with the police's response. This is now a matter for the school."

However, the suspension has caused anger among fellow pupils at the Lascelles Road school who campaigned against the suspension.

More than 100 youngsters, including pupils, have signed up to the campaign group on social networking site Facebook, as an informal petition against what they describe as "the disgraceful and just generally stupid suspension."

A pupil, who does not want to be named, said: "We all think the suspension was a bit of an over-reaction. He's a really hard-working student who has been at the school for years. Obviously nobody agrees with carrying a real gun but the photo was just of him holding a paintballing gun when he went out paintballing with his mates as most teenagers do. And that is not illegal."

The youngster was due to have a meeting with the school last week and is understood to have been reinstated.

Mrs Lenton said her decision was supported by school governors but declined to comment further.

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This article appeared in Slough Observer 13 Oct 08

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  she did this to me too
  Unregistered User
  Jan 19, 01:48
  Report comment

  This woman is prejudice.
  
  She told a girl in my form that she 'allowed' her to wear a hijab (although it is her right by law).
  
  She also accused a group of muslim girls for bbeing associated to terrorism because another sstudent felt 'intimidated'(who himself is also predjudice and created an anti-islam blog).
  
  She is disgusting and i am glad this has come out finally because she has been doing this for so long and getting away with it, along with Mr HUSSAIN. They should not be allowed to be teachers as they have pleasure in tormenting vunrable children!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 1

• 

  sontaran
  Unregistered User
  Jan 19, 10:13
  Report comment

  Coming soon:"All high school chemistry teachers will be arrested under Terrorism legislation, for conveying knowledge about exothermic reactions."
  
  or
  
  "Scout leaders arrested for Terrorist training, for teaching wilderness survival training, use of knives, and other skills in need by terrorists."
  
  or
  
  "All Britain's martial arts schools closed down under anti-terror legislation"
  
  or
  
  "All paintball game venues and video arcades now considered terror training camps"
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 1

• 

  john smith
  Unregistered User
  May 15, 21:49
  Report comment

  I have to say as a former student of (52) years old who attended the then Slough School for boys,in my youth I'M SHOCKED AT THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE BY THE HEADTEACHER. APPARENTLY SHE IS ALSO A JUDGE.
  
  "IF THE LAD IS HAVING A PHOTO OF HIM PAINTBALLING HE IS COMMITING NO CRIME" DESPITE RECENT EVENTS THE MUSLIM FAITH IS A PEACEFUL ONE. THIS SCHOOL SEEMS DETERMINED TO MARGINALISE MUSLIMS. WHY??????
  
  IT REALLY DOES QUESTION THIS SCHOOLS COMMITMENT TO FAIRNESS AND EQUALITY. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED MY DAY.
  
  A SERIOUS RETHINK IS REQUIRED IN RESPECT ON THIS SCHOOL AND IT RELATIONS WITH THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY.
  
  A JUDGE APPARENTLY, , high pass rates rates. I am not convinced.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 1

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