‘Punishment no matter what’ – Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy safeguarding review uncovers ‘harmful’ practices

Shouting, public humiliation and pupils’ mental health issues at Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy  are revealed in a highly-anticipated safeguarding review.

Former pupils shared distressing accounts of their mental health struggles and how the school handled them.

Testimony described teachers’ actions as emotionally damaging.

Two pupils revealed that their treatment at the hands of teachers led them to self-harm.

One explained: “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.”

“Senior school leaders spoke of a culture of rigidity with flexibility, although the evidence from my review points towards one where ‘No Excuses’ has been actively promoted as zero tolerance and ‘punishment no matter what’,” according to the report’s author, Alan Wood.

The review concludes that “academic excellence that traumatises some pupils is not true excellence. Discipline through fear is not preparing young people for life as confident, independent adults.”

It continues: “Leadership has come to believe harsh discipline is not just a means but the defining characteristic of success – the method has become the mission. Rather than responding with curiosity, leadership dismisses concerns as vexatious or ideologically motivated. Practices like shouting have become so routine they are no longer recognised as harmful.”

“Every child attending MVPA is entitled to an education that protects their dignity, wellbeing, and development. The Equality Act 2010 requires reasonable adjustments. The statutory definition of safeguarding includes emotional wellbeing. Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights prohibits degrading treatment. For some pupils, MVPA has failed to meet these standards.”

The Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review, conducted by Sir Alan Wood CBE, was commissioned to investigate ‘widespread concerns’ of parents with children at the school and published today (Tuesday 9 December).

While Sir Wood acknowledged the school’s ‘strong academic results’ and ‘excellent output’, the review outlined a ‘climate of fear’ at the school and a ‘no excuses’ attitude to infractions, resulting in ‘punishment no matter what’ – particularly for children of certain ethnic groups and SEND students.

In the review, Sir Wood states: “The review concludes that the concerns raised about practices such as shouting, public humiliation and a lack of reasonable adjustments can be substantiated. A defensive and dismissive leadership culture has refuted these concerns, branding them as ‘vexatious’, and has prioritised academic reputation over engaging with criticism.”

Practices at the school which were found to have presented particular issues – and in some cases which conflicted with advice from the Department of Education (DfE) – included ‘routine’ shouting and ‘desking’, which involves placing students at desks in corridors for what the review described as ‘minor infractions’.

Sir Wood added certain students, including children with SEND or from some ethnic groups, were ‘disproportionately impacted by sanctions’. Black boys at the school ‘were reported to face disproportionate punishments, racialised language and microaggressions’.

The review found that behavioural policies are “particularly harmful” to Black male students and children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

“Some practitioners consider that MVPA’s uncompromising culture on academic success and its approach to behaviour are leaving needs unmet and exacerbating mental health issues in pupils,” the report read.

“The school’s leadership has created a structured environment that can be positive for those who can navigate its strictures. However, this same system is implemented with a rigidity and a lack of differentiation that does not protect the wellbeing of a vulnerable minority.”

It continued: “This review has examined a school that simultaneously achieves remarkable academic success whilst causing harm to some of its most vulnerable pupils. MVPA’s achievements are real – examination results are outstanding, attendance exceeds national averages, and many pupils thrive.

“These successes deserve recognition. However, there is substantiated evidence that for a significant minority of pupils, particularly those with SEND, mental health challenges, or who struggle to conform to an inflexible system, the school’s approach to discipline has been harmful.”

Some 342 reports from parents, pupils and staff were gathered to inform the review, relating to a range of schools within the Federation. A ‘substantial minority’ of pupils and parents were found not to feel safe or happy, or to ‘believe bullying is handled effectively.’

One teacher’s testimony stated: “It was frequently made clear to teachers by the SLT that empathy was considered a weakness, and that raising your voice was a requirement. The ‘tough love’ message was reinforced in assemblies and in person by imagery of a red fist and heart.”

Another teacher said the mental health of students was considered ‘secondary to their academic outcomes’, while a parent alleged their child was ‘absolutely petrified’ of speaking to staff and wouldn’t drink water because of the lack of time allowed for using the toilet.

Sir Wood’s review touched on issues parents claimed to have come up against when trying to communicate with staff members at the school, particularly to raise concerns. In a separate review conducted by barrister and part-time judge, Anne Whyte KC, Mossbourne Academies’ complaints and safeguarding procedures were found to be ‘generally fit for purpose.’

Outlining his recommendations, Sir Wood said the ‘no excuses’ attitude to behaviour should be replaced with ‘high expectations combined with genuine care, flexibility, and individualisation.’

“Senior leaders must acknowledge their defensive posture has prevented change,” he added. “Dismissing concerns as vexatious was wrong and must end.”

Sir Wood added ‘mandatory reasonable adjustments for SEND’ students should be introduced, encouraged governors to become ‘active interrogators’ of data regarding disproportionality of sanctions, and encouraged more transparency regarding the recording and monitoring of sanctions.

“Without transparency, there can be no accountability,” he said.

The review was commissioned after a number of parents’ concerns were submitted to Hackney Council in an anonymised dossier in 2024.

Later that year, the website Educating Hackney was set up – also by concerned parents – where further concerns were submitted.

Despite the concerns raised, the report did highlight a number of previous Ofsted inspections of the school between 2016 and 2023, which found it to be ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. ”

[A January 2023 inspection] described a calm and well- ordered environment with exemplary behaviour in lessons and around the school, noting that bullying incidents were rare and quickly addressed.”

In a letter to parents and carers dated Monday 8 December and seen by the Citizen, Principal Matthew Toothe assured readers the academy takes the review ‘very seriously’.

“I can assure you that all children’s best interests are at the heart of everything we do at Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy and, as principal of this academy, I care deeply and passionately about the wellbeing and futures of your children.”

Mossbourne Federation said in a statement: “We acknowledge receipt of the Local Child Safeguarding Review by Sir Alan Wood CBE, instigated by the City and Hackney Independent Safeguarding Children Commissioner. The report is being considered carefully and in detail by The Members Trust, in conjunction with the Board of the multi-academy trust and the Senior Leadership Team.

“While the report acknowledges the strong outcomes the schools achieve for pupils alongside high levels of support from parents and staff, it raises a number of issues which echo those detailed in the Anne Whyte KC Review, published last month.

“The Mossbourne Federation is committed to doing everything in its power to ensure the best outcomes for every child who attends its schools. We have already recognised the importance of engaging effectively with parents and are working to implement all the recommendations made by Anne Whyte KC. We will review Sir Alan’s findings and reflect further on them.

“In the meantime, we thank our hardworking staff, pupils and parents for their ongoing commitment, focus and support and reiterate our ongoing commitment to enabling students from all backgrounds to thrive and achieve their full potential.”

Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, deputy mayor of Hackney and cabinet member for Education, Young People and Children’s Social Care, said: “We recognise that the publishing of Sir Alan Wood’s independent Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review this week is a critical moment in addressing concerns raised about children’s experiences at Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy. We know that the review and related themes may cause upset for children and young people, their families, staff, and our communities in general.

“We are taking the necessary time to fully consider the report’s findings and how we can further strengthen our support for schools, settings, and partners, ensuring our education offer unequivocally puts the wellbeing of our children and young people first.

“The council remains committed to its long-term vision: a borough where every Hackney child and young person, regardless of background, has the resilience, support, and opportunity to lead a happy, healthy life. We are dedicated to finding the balance between high expectations and clear boundaries, while fostering inclusion, empathy, and resilience.”

Ofsted declined to comment when contacted for comment.

The Citizen has contacted Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy for comment.