Ashley O'Doherty, also 13, underwent emergency surgery for a blood clot 12 hours after the incident at the end of the school's morning break on September 18.

He is believed to have been left unconscious after the attack and suffered headaches before being rushed to hospital in London for surgery.

The teenager had to have multiple stitches to his head and suffered a black eye but was this week recovering at his home in Sandbanks Grove.

A police spokesperson confirmed yesterday a 13-year-old had been arrested on suspicion of assault.

Ashley's mum Tracey told the Gazette she was called to the school around 10.45am and saw an ambulance in the car park.

She said, "The ambulance door opened and my son was on a stretcher in the back with blood on his head, face and clothes.

"I asked him what had happened but couldn't remember.

"The paramedic informed me that as Ash had suffered a blow to the head and had been unconscious he would have to be checked over at Eastbourne DGH."

While in Accident and Emergency, Tracey said Ashley began to recall what had happened.

She said, "He explained he had been to his first lesson, got some homework and had then gone to break.

"He was talking to one of his friends and making his way back to class when he was attacked by a fellow pupil.

"He was hit and grabbed and eventually ended up on the floor by the bins, unconscious."

Ashley was given the all-clear by a hospital doctor but he later suffered further headaches and was taken back to Eastbourne DGH around 4pm.

A scan showed Ashley had a blood clot and he was taken to King's College Hospital in Denmark Hill with an extradural hematoma — a build up of blood in the brain. He underwent surgery immediately and is now recovering at home.

Tracey said she believed Ashley was attacked after 'gossip' spread round the school about a private matter.

She said, "Both the school and police have been incredibly supportive throughout all of this and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
"But this whole incident happened because of gossip and children talking."

Hailsham Community College said the incident was 'inexcusable' but 'isolated' and said the school had a strict 'zero tolerance' policy on violence.

Principal Lesley Farmer told the Gazette, "There were no other students involved and very few were even aware the incident had taken place.

"Because of the vigilance of staff on duty at the scene, police, parents and ambulance were immediately summoned and the victim of the assault was examined in hospital, without delay.

"A full police investigation is now ongoing and therefore I am unable to comment further in any detail.

"However college staff and governors maintain a strict policy of 'zero tolerance' of violent acts which can lead to permanent exclusion.

"What happened was inexcusable but it was an isolated incident in connection with a private matter which sadly spilled over into college life.

"Fortunately the victim of this assault is on the road to recovery and looking forward to returning to school. I know the staff here look forward to his return."