Elite school Campus Manilla in Stockholm must pay 180,000 kronor in compensation after a student faced systematic bullying without adequate school action. The school failed to report and investigate the violations, according to the Children's and Students' Ombudsman (BEO). A former student shares similar experiences of isolation and insufficient support.
Campus Manilla, a free school on Djurgården in central Stockholm, is known for its scenic setting and students including the crown princess couple's children, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar. The school offers both primary and secondary education with around 260 upper secondary students and 20 teachers. However, a BEO investigation reveals serious shortcomings in handling bullying.
One student faced extensive abusive treatment from other students over a long period. Staff witnessed and knew about the incidents but failed to report them to the principal on numerous occasions. The school did not investigate the events and took insufficient measures, leading to a record-high compensation of 180,000 kronor. BEO states that the school seriously failed in its obligations.
17-year-old Sara, who started upper secondary in autumn 2025, experienced similar issues. On the first day during the school's boat tradition from Strandvägen, she felt excluded—classmates ignored her despite her attempts to join. She sat alone and cried when she got home. Her mother Karin recalls: “She came home very sad and cried already the first day.”
Sara was sent to a special teacher for support, but the conversation instead focused on the school's royal students and their bodyguards. A teacher informed the class via a Snapchat group that Sara was never added to, despite him asking other students to include her. Teachers and her mentor placed the blame on her: “I don't understand why, because you're not weird,” the mentor said. Karin shares: “When a teacher says that, the blame is entirely on the one being frozen out. You break as a parent.” Sara cried every evening but continued for a while before switching schools, where she now thrives.
The other student continued at the school, where the bullying worsened. School principal Martin Malmberg, who started in August 2025, emphasizes zero tolerance for bullying. “As BEO writes, the school has obviously failed in this previously,” he says. The school plans to pay the compensation and has introduced a new organization for increased safety, including immediate reporting and contact with students and guardians.
