9:00am Thursday 15th May 2008
By Tomasz Johnson
A classmate of a teenager who took her own life two weeks ago has spoken out about the bullying she suffered at their Finchley school.
Sixteen-year-old Lucy Irvine was found dead at her home, in Bycullah Road, Enfield, on the night of Saturday, May 3, after she hanged herself.
Lucy was due to sit her GCSEs this summer at Compton School, in Summers Lane, but just weeks before they began she fell prey to a vicious campaign of bullying, according to her classmate, James Hervey.
"She was very shy and got bullied a lot," he said. "It started off with a few people, but soon other people saw making fun of her as a way to look good' and cool'.
"Someone would say something and it would become a running joke. People would call her a lesbian or The Grudge because she had long dark hair and looked unhappy.
"It was well known that she was unhappy but I didn't think it was that bad. I didn't think she would have thought there was no other option. It's just a shame no one stopped it."
James, also 16, of Summers Lane, Finchley, was in the same class as Lucy for two years. He said the school had identified the problem and had tried to help.
Anti-bullying posters with the slogan "just say no" had been put up around the school.
But he added: "Because she was so shy, she wouldn't stick up for herself. All the unhappiness just built up inside her, especially with GCSEs coming up, and she wasn't doing well in school. The school tried to help her by putting her into separate classes and speaking to her, but I think it just made it worse.
"What's really upsetting is that she felt so trapped, she thought there was no way out."
Compton School headteacher Teresa Tunnadine said staff and students were "deeply shocked and saddened by Lucy's tragic death".
A spokesman for Barnet Council, speaking on behalf of the school, refused to comment on the issue of bullying stating that "as there will be a coroner's inquiry into the death it may be prejudicial to speculate on any detail around the death at this time".
Ms Tunnadine said: "Lucy was a quiet, reserved girl with a very close and supportive circle of friends.
"She was a kind, compassionate girl who always looked out for her friends. Lucy will be greatly missed and remembered with love by all who knew her well."
The school is opening a book of commemoration for students and staff to sign and a tree will be planted in her memory in the school grounds.
Students will also lead a memorial service in Lucy's honour.
Tributes to Lucy left on the Times Series website this week spoke of a beautiful, caring and friendly girl who loved animals.
Olivia Bonito wrote: "Although I hadn't spoken to Lucy properly since I left Compton, I have many fond childhood memories with her. I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of such a beautiful, caring, loving and bright person."
Frankie Pope wrote: "It's upsetting knowing she felt that was her only option and no one took the time to change things for her.
"It's such a shame she ended her life so soon without living it, she was so young. I only wish someone knew how she was feeling."
An inquest into her death has been opened and adjourned at Hornsey Coroner's Court.
"Our thoughts are and remain with the family and friends of Lucy at this time.
"The school feels that aspects of this article, given its content and prominent position, need to be clarified.
"The circumstances surrounding Lucy's death are the subject of an inquest and this restricts what we can release into the public domain at this time.
"I can assure parents and pupils that The Compton School does not tolerate bullying in any form. When incidences of bullying are reported pupils receive the highest level of care and support.
"In September 2006, when awarding the school a Grade 1 Outstanding for Care, Support and Guidance OFSTED stated that: 'the quality of care, guidance and support given to pupils at the Compton contributes strongly to their excellent personal development. When asked about bullying pupils responded that it was rare and said bullying is not tolerated in school and everyone knows that. Excellent systems are in place to resolve such conflicts'."
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