Emergency meetings were held at Spice Valley Middle School this weekend after a student was sexually assaulted by a number of her classmates on school grounds last Wednesday.

While sources originally told The Royal Gazette that the young girl was raped as other students looked on, the victim's mother spoke out Friday to clarify that report was inaccurate.

The girl was sexually assaulted but there was no intercourse. "There was no rape," she said. "It was never reported as a rape, it was sexual assault."

The victim's mother said the family is doing its best to support the girl and help her recover from the attack.

"We are all trying to cope with this as a family," she said.

But she declined to comment on whether she felt the school has adequately dealt with the situation to date. "At this point in time I do not wish to make any other comment in light of the investigations pending," she said.

The Royal Gazette was told that extra counsellors have been funnelled to the school from Sandys Secondary Middle School to help the children deal with the incident.

And parents, teachers and Education officials have held a series of meetings to discuss the matter after many parents were alarmed to learn of the incident in Friday's paper.

In a statement released over the weekend, Education Ministry officials said everything possible was being done to ensure the needs of the students are met.

"In addition to the measures taken by the school administration to address this matter, the Ministry of Education and Development has been actively engaged in assisting the school," it said.

"In particular school psychologists from central office, the counsellors assigned to Spice Valley Middle School and other counsellors from Government schools worked with school administration to support the students and teachers.

"Given that this is a sensitive matter involving minors, we are loath to comment further in any detail, pending investigation.

"However, our paramount concern at this stage is to ensure that the needs of the students are adequately addressed and to ensure that there are clearly communicated consequences when there is anti-social behaviour."

Two boys have been suspended from school as a result of the attack and Education Ministry officials told electronic media that another suspension has been recommended.

School principal Dawnelle Walker has refused to return calls.