Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, an “outstanding” secondary in east London, humiliated pupils with harsh and harmful discipline; a damning safeguarding review has found.
Students at the Hackney school have been intimidated and shamed, according to the review led by Sir Alan Wood, a former director of children’s services in the same London borough.
It found there was “public humiliation” of pupils with shouting that was “routine” and used “in a manner that humiliates and intimidates”.
“While these practices have the potential to impact any pupil, for a significant minority who are more vulnerable, have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), or struggle to conform to an inflexible system, the school’s approach to discipline has been particularly harmful,” Sir Alan writes.
His review found a “stark contrast between the school’s demonstrable success – exemplary academic results, strong attendance, and fervent support from most parents – and serious, persistent concerns being raised from a wide range of stakeholders about a harsh and damaging disciplinary culture”.
Under Ofsted’s former grading system, the school was rated “outstanding” across all areas at its most recent inspection by the watchdog in 2023.
But the review found that this success came at a price.
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It quotes one former pupil saying: “During year 9 I started to self-harm because the teachers made me feel as though I didn’t deserve to live because of my grades.”
Sir Alan highlights the practice of “desking”, used at the 11-16 school.
“Pupils are placed at desks in corridors as a punishment for minor infractions,” he writes. “This is isolating, shaming, and educationally unproductive, with no data collected to monitor how this sanction is used, its effectiveness and whether there is any disproportionate impact.”
His review warns: “The leadership’s defensive posture and the failure of governors to hold them accountable have allowed harmful practices to persist unchecked.
“In essence, the review finds that [the academy’s] success has been achieved at too high a cost for some pupils.”
None of the evidence found by the review suggested that staff had not carried out their child protection responsibilities or failed in their performance.
But the review made recommendations around complaints and communication with parents, that the has school accepted.
The Mossbourne Federation, the trust that runs the academy, said the review was “being considered carefully and in detail” and it would reflect on “a number of issues” it raised.
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A Department for Education spokesperson said the findings were “serious and deeply concerning”. They said that school behaviour policies should promote respect and a positive environment, and that the department would continue to engage with the trust to ensure changes needed are implemented.
