A SCHOOL connected to three boys who have died in a year has dismissed allegations it has failed to tackle bullying.

Parents of pupils at Northfield School, in Billingham, whose alumni include Billy Elliott actor Jamie Bell, have reportedly criticised the school's safeguarding procedures.

The allegations have emerged following the death of 13-year-old Arin Lyth, whose body was found in the High Grange area of the town on January 12.

Arin had recently moved schools as it is understood he had been the victim of bullying, and many social media users in the area have been changing their profile pictures to an anti-bullying message in the wake of his death.

Youtube videos have also been created by fellow pupils to try to raise awareness about bullying.

Harry Gray, 15, who also attended Northfield, killed himself last April after receiving stab threats from bullies at the school.

But at an inquest last July coroner Claire Bailey said there was no evidence Harry had been "bullied any more than would be constituted normal child interaction".

Just days after Harry’s death, former Northfield pupil Elton Harland, 13, was found dead at a house in Lancashire. An inquest into Elton's death is yet to be held.

During an inspection of the school in July last year Ofsted found there were good arrangements for ensuring pupils’ safety.

A report stated: "Arrangements for safeguarding are effective because there are good systems in place, which members of staff implement consistently. Examples are the good level of adult supervision at breaks and lunchtimes

and the very good record-keeping on all safeguarding matters.

"Pupils say that they feel perfectly safe in school and that serious bullying is exceptionally rare. They are confident that the school deals with all types of bullying swiftly and point to the achievement of the prestigious Lady Diana Award for anti-bullying work where they take pride in their own contributions as peer supporters for other pupils."

A spokesman for the school said it took any reports of bullying very seriously indeed.

He said: "We are far from complacent and we very much recognise the need to continually review and develop the support available to our students so that we can respond to the changing pressures in young people’s lives."

Ofsted is understood to be reviewing the information it holds on the school.

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