The pupil at a Liverpool primary school was pulled out by the distraught parent
Pinehurst Primary School in Anfield(Image: Google Maps)
A Liverpool mum was horrified after finding out her daughter had self-harmed at school, and written a note about suicide, from another parent in the playground. The mother of a child at Pinehurst Primary School in Anfield has alleged senior leaders failed to inform her of a serious incident that had occurred in class earlier this week.
The mum – who the ECHO has chosen not to name – said she heard from another parent her daughter had written a note relating to self harm but was not informed until the following day. She claimed the family of another child who reported the matter had been contacted prior to any information being passed on by school officials.
The Pinehurst Avenue school is part of the Cheshire Academies Trust having converted in 2025. It provides education for children between the ages of three and 11 years old.
The shocked mum told the ECHO how she had taken the decision to remove her daughter from school earlier this week. She said: “My daughter has complex needs, she has ADHD, is under the support of CAMHS and has self harmed in the past.
“When she was in class the other day, she wrote a note saying ‘I want to kill someone and I want to commit suicide.’ It was passed to her teacher and safeguarding teams and the headteacher by another pupil, nobody contacted me or told me.
“The mother of the other child got a call at 9pm that night asking if they were okay.
“I couldn’t get my head around it, she wasn’t safe, they had neglected her.”
Mental health support
Helplines and support groups
The following are helplines and support networks for people to talk to, mostly listed on the NHS Choices website
- Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
- CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58) is a leading movement against suicide. It runs a UK helpline and webchat from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year for anyone who has hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
- PANDAS (0808 1961 776) runs a free helpline and offers a support service for people who may be suffering with perinatal mental illness, including prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal depression plus support for their family or network.
- Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
- PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is an organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
- Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
- Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.
- Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.
- Amparo provides emotional and practical support for anyone who has been affected by a suicide. This includes dealing with police and coroners; helping with media enquiries; preparing for and attending an inquest and helping to access other, appropriate, local support services. Call 0330 088 9255 or visit www.amparo.org.uk for more details.
- Hub of Hope is the UK’s most comprehensive national mental health support database. Download the free app, visit hubofhope.co.uk or text SHOUT to 85258 to find relevant services near you.
- Young Persons Advisory Service – Providing mental health and emotional wellbeing services for Liverpool’s children, young people and families. tel: 0151 707 1025 email: support@ypas.org.uk
- Paul’s Place – providing free counselling and group sessions to anyone living in Merseyside who has lost a family member or friend to suicide. Tel: 0151 226 0696 or email: paulsplace@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk
- The Martin Gallier Project – offering face to face support for individuals considering suicide and their families. Opening hours 9.30-16.30, 7 days a week. Tel: 0151 644 0294 email: triage@gallierhouse.co.uk
- James’ Place – supports men over 18 who are experiencing a suicidal crisis by providing quick access to therapy and support. Call 0151 303 5757 from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm or visit https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/
The mum added how footage had been found at the school of her daughter self-harming at dinner time on Monday.
When they did reach out to her, she said officials told the mum how plans were being put in place to support her daughter.
She said: “My daughter could have come home and killed herself without me knowing she was feeling that way. I was distraught when I found out.
“It’s killed me inside. I eventually heard from two of the safeguarding team, including the special educational needs co-ordinator who offered an apology but that’s not good enough.
“I took her out of school after that. She’d been in on Tuesday and that’s when I found out from them.
“Her class teacher is really good with her but it’s not down to her, it’s the SENCO team who should keep her safe.”
When approached by the ECHO for comment Cheshire Academies Trust said it was “unable to comment on matters relating to individual pupils due to our obligations under data and child protection legislation.”