Grieving parents of Telford boy in plea on bullying

Dylan Stewart's family believe bullying was a contributing factor. An inquest heard "incidents" had been reported while he was a pupil at Shropshire's Lakeside Academy.

But teachers told the inquest there was no allegation he was being bullied.

Dylan was found hanging at his home in Brookside, Telford, in April. He died eight days later at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

The inquest last week recorded a narrative verdict that he hanged himself, but whether or not he intended to kill himself was unclear.

Amanda and Robert Stewart today paid tribute to their "loving son".

Mrs Stewart said: "He was a beautiful boy, he was so loving. He was really helpful, even in the months before he died he was always helping out."

Mr Stewart, 41, said: "We don't want any other parents to go through what we've been through."

"No child should be pushed to the point where they have to take their life because they feel that's the only way to escape. They need to know that there is a way out, that there are other ways."

The couple now want to encourage teachers at all schools to do more to protect children who report incidents of bullying.

Mr Stewart said: "Schools need to be more proactive on bullying, not just put children into segregation or isolation."

"The first step as soon as bullying is reported should be to bring the parents into the school, they need to know what's going on at the earliest opportunity.

"If bullying was happening in the workplace, the person involved would sue the company because it would be harassment and discrimination."

Lakeside Academy in Stirchley says it put in a number of measures to protect Dylan after he joined the school in January.

The inquest heard Dylan had also been involved in a minor argument with his parents on the day he was found hanging.

Russell Griffin, a spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "Lakeside Academy has an anti-bullying policy which includes generic sections for both staff and students.

"The section for students was put together by the students themselves.

"It is the nature of schools that bullying occurs from time to time but any incidents at Lakeside are dealt with very rapidly. The school is regularly praised by Ofsted for its standards of behaviour management."

He added: "The academy has a system of peer supports and learning mentors to encourage and protect younger students.

"Any incidents that do occur are dealt with by senior members of staff, although the focus is on preventative measures based around mutual respect and students being responsible for their own actions.

"A report from the last visit by the Department for Education in November 2013 says: 'The academy provides excellent care and support for its students. Those I met were highly complimentary of the staff and the guidance which they receive'."

Mrs Stewart, 39, said Dylan was an animal lover, who adored his black labrador pet, Checkoe.

She said: "He liked DIY. He just watched his dad, anything he was doing, Dylan was two steps behind him.

"He lived for laughing. He was always laughing with me and the family.

"He was always helping, even in the weeks before he passed away he was always helping out around the house. If you were ever looking for anything, or couldn't find something, you just had to ask Dylan."

Mrs Stewart said Dylan loved computer games and enjoyed playing on his Nintendo Wii console.

"He loved to take walks with me," she said. "We were so close, he was such a loving boy.

"We don't know what we are going to do at Christmas. Next year, he was going to be 13, coming of age. We don't know what we are going to do.

"When we sit down at the table as a family, there's always one empty chair."

Dylan and his family originated from Stoke, but the family moved to Knighton, Powys, when he was four years old.

There, the children were home-schooled by Mrs Stewart, while Mr Stewart, 41, worked as a chef at the town's Radnorshire Arms.

Mrs Stewart said: "It made us really close as a family, we had fun doing school work, as well as getting the work done, which is what learning should be all about."

Two years ago, Mr Stewart took over the role as teacher, while Mrs Stewart set up her own hairdressing business.

She later opened the Cutting Quarter in the Holiday Inn, Telford, after the family moved to the town.

The Stewarts came to live in Brookside at the start of the year, when Dylan enrolled as a pupil at Lakeside Academy.

Shortly after they moved into the area, Mrs Stewart had a major stroke and cardiac arrest, which left her in intensive care for a number of weeks.

His parents claim that while at school Dylan was bullied. They spoke of the allegation at his inquest last week and claim it seriously affected their son.

They today released a picture of Dylan in hospital, saying they hope their story will help other children receive the help they need. The couple have called for all schools to do more to take action when bullying is reported to them.

Mrs Stewart said: "I felt he was depressed, but I thought initially it was because of what happened to me.

"Before he started school, he was outgoing, he was always on his bike but afterwards that changed and he became more withdrawn compared to what he used to be. Bullying did affect him, but he didn't say anything."

In October, the family are going to an event at Stoke Arboretum which has been organised by Birmingham Children's Hospital for bereaved parents.

On the day, they will join other families and release a balloon in Dylan's memory.

Mr and Mrs Stewart said they have been given huge support by staff at the hospital following Dylan's death.

"They've been so helpful," explained Mrs Stewart. "Nothing has been too much for them. Before Dylan died, and afterwards, they kept his dignity. For that, I am really grateful."

Dylan's funeral was held at St Margaret's Church in Stoke on May 19, the same church where his parents were married.

Mrs Stewart said: "The Reverend has been so supportive. I would go there three or four times a night to pray for Dylan and he was so helpful."

The family has now moved back to Stoke, but say they have a message for parents in Shropshire.

Mrs Stewart said: "If your kids are being bullied, pay attention to them. Don't ignore it.

"Schools also need to listen to pupils, there are a lot out there who are asking for help and they shouldn't be swept under the carpet."