Teenager Laura Matthews stayed away from school after being bullied by a gang of girls about the colour of her hair.

Her father Peter Matthews backed his daughter's actions and said he was fed up by the tauntings at Witney's Wood Green School.

He took the matter up with headteacher Cynthia Savage earlier this year but last week the problems started again. Laura, 14, of Eastfield Road, Witney, has just started her GCSEs and is worried missing school will affect her work. She could not face going into school on Monday, but returned yesterday after talks with Miss Savage and other teachers.

The problem started when other girls started teasing her about her red hair.

Laura said: "It involves a gang of about 15 other girls and has been going on for some time. They tease me and call me names and I've been kicked on my shins.

"One girl slapped my face when I was in the town. I'm scared to go to school." Mr Matthews said the bullying had been going on for months and had recently escalated.

He said: "The school claims to be proud of its academic record and yet this is going on behind the scenes. I'm taking it up with the police now."

Miss Savage said the first incident of bullying had been dealt with and staff were unaware that it had started again.

"As a school we take our responsibility for the well-being of our students very seriously. This was supported by the Ofsted inspection team. "The report singled out the anti-bullying policy in particular for praise, which gives clear guidelines for raising awareness about bullying and dealing with any incidents that may arise.

"However, in a community of 1,100 students there are bound to be disputes and misunderstandings between students. We are quick to deal with these and take any report or allegation seriously."

Witney schools' liaison officer Pc Chris Skae said: "Bullying is often better dealt with internally but if I am asked, I will help."

Story date: Wednesday 13 October

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