Parents have withdrawn their children from Whitney Institute Middle School after complaints of bullying.

But School Principal GA Graham said the parents of bullied kids had been asked to keep their children out of school for just one day while the bullies and their families were interviewed.

And she said the matter had now been dealt with.

She said: "A couple of the children who complained of bullying are now back in school. There's no reason they can't all be back in school."

She said the group of victims had been interviewed last Thursday and were asked to stay away on Friday while the bullies and their parents were interviewed.

Further interviews were held on Tuesday.

"We wanted to get the whole story. They were honest enough to admit it."

She said she was surprised the story had hit the media.

She said: "All the parents were extremely supportive."

And Mrs. Graham said all schools suffered from bullying from time to time and she welcomed the fact that the victims felt the school's anti-bullying policy would protect them if they came forward.

She said bullying cases occurred once or twice a year but Mrs. Graham refused to say what the punishment for the bullies would be.

But she said: "The maximum I think can still be an out of school suspension for five days.

"A further extension has to be granted by the Chief Education Officer."

"Basically it was between two groups of third year boys aged 13-14."