DAME TIPPING PRIMARY SCHOOL IN HAVERING-ATTE-BOWER, GREATER LONDON, HAS BEEN FORCED TO KEEP ITS PUPILS INDOORS DURING BREAK TIMES AFTER A BUZZARD HAS BEEN DIVE-BOMBING LOCALS ANNABAL BAGDI

Senior reporter and SWNSJONATHANCOLES (JONATHAN COLES) 09:05, 01 Jun 2025 Pupils at Dame Tipping Primary School have been confined indoors during breaks after a buzzard attacked them in a

series of swooping attacks. The children have had to forgo outdoor playtime post-Easter due to concerns over potential harm. This aggressive feathered assailant, thought to be one half of a

mating pair, has been setting the local community on edge in Havering-atte-Bower for several weeks. Nevertheless, with buzzards under legal protection, the school has expressed that they can

"As a school, safeguarding and protecting children is of paramount importance." The enactment of this policy follows a string of episodes in the idyllic Greater London hamlet near

Romford, including a claim of a woman being victimised by the predatory bird in a local park this past March. 37-year-old Nikki Dix recalls her surprise when the buzzard struck from above,

leaving marks on her scalp. Her experience was unnerving: "I was scared, I was taken aback by it." Recalling her encounter, she said: "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'." Dix admitted feeling unusually vigilant since the event, saying: "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 opted to turn the incident into an educational opportunity for students, who've

crafted posters advocating bird conservation and have affectionately dubbed the buzzard 'Brenda'. Louise Whittle, a parent whose child attends Dame Tipping and who had a close call

with the buzzard herself, praised the school's response, saying they've managed the situation "brilliantly". A video captures the moment the buzzard swoops from the roof

of a neighbouring house, seemingly targeting the mother's head. Louise remarked: "It's absolutely bonkers that there is a buzzard attacking people." She continued:

"But the school have been absolutely fantastic in prioritising the children's safety and finding other alternatives for getting out." She also noted: "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." Yet, Louise expressed ongoing worries

that "the birds are being prioritised over the children" and voiced her hope "hopeful that they fly away so everyone can get back to normal". Headteacher Ms McCarthy

contributed: "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." She added: "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 collaborating with Havering Council and multiple avian

groups to address the matter. According to the council, its health and safety division has furnished the school's governing body with comprehensive guidance on permissible deterrents

and the engagement of a falconry specialist. A Havering Council representative stated: "The RSPCA has advised that the buzzard may be protecting its nest or chicks, which lines up with

the information we have received. Article continues below "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."