OUTRAGED parents at The Amersham School have claimed their 14-year-old daughter received a death threat from a fellow pupil and came home covered in bruises.

Brenda and Robert Sas said they were appalled their youngest daughter Danni had to miss more than a month of classes in a critical GCSE year, after being signed off by a doctor for stress.

The family claims Danni was subjected to persistent name calling and was pushed into a door by fellow pupils.

Police also investigated the origins of a message found by Danni in an internet chat room when she was at home, which claimed the sender "wanted to set fire to her, watch her die and stomp on her grave".

Now Danni's parents are calling for a tougher anti-bullying policy.

Mrs Sas said: "I am disgusted by what has happened and I feel the school has let us down. Danni has never had any problems before and she has missed a lot of classes, but the bully hasn't missed even one day of school."

However headteacher John Walton said he was satisfied the appropriate action had been taken.

Danni has recently returned to school, but still attends weekly counselling sessions and assertiveness classes.

Mrs Sas added: "The head told us that the school operates a second chance bullying policy, which means all parties are reconciled and the offender is made to apologise. Neither my daughter, myself or my husband have ever received an apology from the school or bully."

Mr Walton said pupils were only excluded as a last resort and in extreme circumstances.

He said all bullying allegations are investigated "thoroughly and treated seriously" and there was no evidence of bullying at the school in Stanley Hill, Amersham, during school hours.

He said: "Bullying is a very emotive issue. We will always speak to all parties and ensure the appropriate action is taken.

"This may involve providing guidance, getting the parties together to resolve the case and setting clear expectations for future behaviour or exclusion."

The head said his school's policy was "fair" and he was not aware of further incidents.

He added: "If any of the parties feels unsatisfied we are always prepared to talk to them again, but in the end we have to make a judgement."

A police spokesman said no charges had been brought after its investigation.