Dive-bombing buzzard forces school to ban outdoor play

By Charlotte Anderson

A primary school has banned pupils from going outside during break time following a spate of attacks by a dive-bombing buzzard.

Kids at Dame Tipping Primary School have been forced to stay inside since Easter through fear of injury.

The bird of prey - believed to be part of a mating pair - has been terrorizing villagers in Havering-atte-Bower for months.

But, as buzzards are protected, the school says "nothing which can be done" beyond the outdoor ban.

Headteacher Stella McCarthy said the "difficult decision" was made after the birds became "highly present" in the playground.

She said: "As a school, safeguarding and protecting children is of paramount importance."

The school rule comes after several incidents in the Greater London village, located to the north of Romford - with one woman claiming she was "dive-bombed" by the buzzard while walking in the park in March.

Nikki Dix, 37, said she was "dead shocked" when the bird attacked her from behind and left scratches on her head.

She said: "I was scared, I was taken back by it.

"He was giving me an evil eye so then I carried on my journey for quite a while just swinging my bag above my head because I was just like 'hopefully this will deter him from coming to get me, because if he does try again to get me maybe he won't be so nice'.

"Nothing like that normally gets me so I'm a little bit on high alert at the moment, that's why I've stayed away from that area as well.

The school has decided to use the situation as a learning experience for pupils, who have created posters promoting the protection of birds - and have even named the buzzard 'Brenda'.

One parent of a child at the school, Louise Whittle, who herself narrowly missed being injured by the buzzard - said Dame Tipping has handled the issue "brilliantly".

Footage shows the moment a buzzard flies down from the roof of a nearby house - appearing to aim for the mum's head.

Louise said: "It's absolutely bonkers that there is a buzzard attacking people.

"But the school have been absolutely fantastic in prioritising the children's safety and finding other alternatives for getting out.

"If anything, it's been a great learning experience for the children - they have learnt all about buzzards that they otherwise wouldn't have done."

However, Louise added that she is still concerned that "the birds are being prioritised over the children" and said she is "hopeful that they fly away so everyone can get back to normal".

Headteacher McCarthy added: "Luckily, as part of LIFE Education Trust, we have had excellent support enabling us to use the trust mini bus to regularly visit The Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls where our children have engaged in outdoor learning activities, PE lessons and visited the school’s farm.

"We have also introduced additional indoor breaks with lots of engaging activities including traditional board games, cup stacking competitions and puzzles."

Dame Tipping has been liaising with Havering Council and various bird organisations to find solutions to the issue.

The council said its health and safety team has provided the school's trust with "detailed advice" on legal deterrents and the hiring of a falconry expert.

A Havering Council spokesperson said: "The RSPCA has advised that the buzzard may be protecting its nest or chicks, which lines up with the information we have received.

"Buzzards are protected under UK law, therefore our intervention options are very limited, and we have advised that warning signs would be the easiest solution at this time.

"We completely understand how difficult and worrying this situation is for the school and local residents and we regret that there is not a quick or straightforward solution."