A petition calling for a pupil to be removed from City of Armagh High School following alleged violent and sexual threats against two girls has been launched – with close to 900 signatures already garnered.
TUV councillor Keith Ratcliffe says the families of the girls – who he states were threatened with rape and throat‑slitting by a pupil on December 10, 2025 – have been left “shut out” of the disciplinary process and are now being told the boy will return to the school in September.
He has branded the handling of the case “an astonishing failure of safeguarding” and is urging members of the public to sign an online petition demanding that the pupil is educated elsewhere.
However, City of Armagh High School says it “does not shut any children out of processes” and that EA’s Child Protection Support Services are satisfied the school has “robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place”.
The EA, meanwhile, has warned that “misleading statements” are circulating and has appealed for the community to avoid speculation.
In a statement launching the petition, Cllr Ratcliffe said the two girls had now been informed that the pupil at the centre of the allegations would be returning to City of Armagh High School in the new term.
He claimed that, while the pupil was able to appear before the Board of Governors and “admitted to all accusations”, the victims “were denied any opportunity to be heard”.
Cllr Ratcliffe continued: “The decision was taken after a process that shut the victims out entirely, while giving the offender the chance to defend himself before the Board of Governors. Furthermore, we find it unsettling that a brave 15-year-old girl who witnessed the threats unfold and broke the silence, did not have due regard paid to her testimony. The whole ordeal has amounted to an astonishing failure of safeguarding and a complete breach of the duty owed to these children.
“At a time when the government is pushing a strategy to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls, expecting two young victims of sexual and violent threats to return to school alongside the boy who targeted them is indefensible. No parent would accept this, and no child should be put in that position.
“We are calling for decisive action to protect these girls – action that ensures they are not placed in the same environment as the perpetrator and can continue their education without fear or further trauma.
“I urge you to add your name to the petition and stand with these girls as they fight for basic safety.”
The petition, issued “on behalf of the parents of the two girls”, alleges “abject failure” by both City of Armagh High School and the Education Authority and calls for the pupil not to be allowed to return to the school, with “alternative educational arrangements” to be put in place for him.
It further calls on the Education Minister and the school “to strengthen safeguarding measures for pupils who have faced sexual or physical threats, ensuring victim‑centred procedures, proper inclusion of victims’ voices, and robust protections that prevent any repeat of these failures.”
A spokesperson for City of Armagh High School said: “The safety and wellbeing of every pupil is our highest priority.
“We recognise this is a difficult time for members of the school community and remain committed to working with families and the wider community to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing environment for every pupil.
“EA Child Protection Support Services have informed the school that they are satisfied the school has robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place.
“Contrary to what is being claimed, we do not shut any children out of processes. Concerns are, and have been, treated with the utmost seriousness. When making any decision on potential expulsion, the Board of Governors considers all relevant information and evidence, and follows the procedure laid down in the Scheme for the Suspension and Expulsion of Pupils in Controlled Schools.
“In relation to school complaints, any complainant who remains dissatisfied with the outcome of a complaint has the right to refer their case to the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman.”
A spokesperson for the Education Authority (EA) said: “While it would not be appropriate to comment on individual pupils, we would reassure parents, carers and the wider community that the safety and wellbeing of children is our highest priority.
“The Education Authority has been working closely with City of Armagh High School throughout this process, providing support and guidance to help ensure that all pupils can attend school in a safe and nurturing environment. We remain committed to continuing that support.
“EA is satisfied that the school has followed the procedure laid down in the Scheme for the Suspension and Expulsion of Pupils in Controlled Schools.
“We would ask the wider community to be mindful that speculation and misinformation are unhelpful, potentially damaging, and can cause further distress to all those involved. We urge everyone to act with sensitivity and responsibility.
“This has been a very difficult and sensitive case for the school and it is disappointing that misleading statements are being circulated.”
