A NEWPORT father took his son out of school because he fears it cannot protect him from bullying.

Duffryn Junior School confirmed ten-year-old epilepsy sufferer Nathan Williams was the victim of a violent incident this week, for which two boys were punished.

His father, Terry Williams, 39, of Sandpiper Way, said it was the latest in a string of attacks, and has pulled his son out of the school.

He said two boys put him on the floor and kicked him to the head and body, leaving Nathan with bruises on his head and a swollen ear.

He claimed his son has been the victim of bullies over the past two and a half years, and he has no faith in the school's anti-bullying policy.

He said: "Kids go to school to be protected, not to get picked on. I cannot put him back in there."

The two boys involved were given warnings, their parents were informed and they were kept in during their breaktimes and lunchtimes until half-term.

Nathan, ten, added: "I want to get a good education but I don't want to go back there."

Nathan was taken out of the school on Thursday, and his parents are looking for a place in schools nearby.

His mother, Samantha Williams, 27, said she was also looking into home schooling.

Nigel Kelland, head teacher at the 182-pupil school, said Mr Williams had insisted on their suspension, but such a move at this stage was inappropriate, and was also not in line with the school's anti-bullying policy.

Mr Kelland said: "We are taking it very seriously. The boys have been punished and they have learned from this.

"I am aware of only two incidents involving Nathan, and he has never written anything in the confidential incident books used to report bullying.

"Nathan is a bright lad and a good worker. He needs to be in school.

"A survey among parents found that only 5 per cent of parents felt bullying was a problem here."