Investigation ongoing into shocking Royton and Crompton pupil attack

Picture courtesy of Google Street View

The Royton and Crompton E-ACT Academy has issued a statement condemning social media footage of an incident which appears to show a Muslim pupil having her headscarf ripped off by another schoolgirl before being punched and kicked.

Footage of the altercation was captured by onlookers at a tram stop.

A crowd of around a dozen children in uniform can be heard jeering throughout the attack.  

However, the school suggested the assault was not racist and that it arose from a 'misunderstanding'.

A statement on the Royton and Crompton E-ACT Academy website reads: “The academy is aware of a video currently being circulated on social media involving pupils in a physical altercation on a public road.

“At Royton and Crompton E-ACT Academy, we absolutely do not tolerate physical or verbal abuse of any kind amongst pupils, and we are taking this matter extremely seriously.

“We have been in contact with both pupils' families and we understand that the incident was not racially motivated, but escalated from a misunderstanding between the two pupils.

“As an important part of our local community, we will continue to set the highest expectations of pupil behaviour both in and out of the academy.”

A thorough school investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.