Councillor calls for ‘powers to intervene’ as review into other Mossbourne schools launched

Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy was the subject of a review last year. Photograph: Google

A councillor has called for local authorities to be given more power to ‘intervene’ in the running of academy schools following ongoing concerns over behavioural policies at Mossbourne institutions.

A Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR), published in December and authored by Sir Alan Wood, found reports of shouting and public humiliation of pupils at Hackney’s Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy (MVPA) “can be substantiated”.

However, concerns have also been raised over other Mossbourne schools. A joint review into the federation’s schools in Thurrock has since been launched by a new oversight committee following the publication of Sir Alan’s report and amid ongoing concerns over practices there.

But Thurrock councillor Cathy Kent (Labour) said at a children’s services overview and scrutiny committee on 12 February that the situation has highlighted widespread “weaknesses” in educational policy.

“One of the weaknesses is the lack of local accountability”, she said. “The council has limited powers to intervene – everything sits with the DfE or the regional director.

“As we move into devolution, surely there is a case for these powers to be held locally. Decisions affecting our children shouldn’t be made by someone in Cambridge or London who isn’t seeing what’s happening on the ground”.

Independent councillor Gary Byrne has been vocal in his criticism of the school. He added that concern over the school have been raised “for 14 months” and “it’s been totally ignored”.

“We’ve got safeguarding issues, humiliation and bullying. […] Mossbourne is harming our children and they’ve been ignored for 14 months. This is shocking”.

Speaking at the committee meeting, Thurrock Council’s assistant director of education and children’s commissioning, Michele Lucas, said the new oversight committee would “be looking at the Alan Wood report and how we move forward on its recommendations”.

“That will include both Thurrock and Hackney representation, and I will be attending those meetings,” she said.

Hackney Council’s director of education Jason Marantz will also sit on the committee, which will work to ensure Sir Alan’s recommendations are implemented in full.

In the immediate aftermath of the review’s publication, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, deputy mayor 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.

“As a local authority, our ability to influence the policies of academy schools is limited. While schools have the statutory freedom to determine their curriculum and policies, including behaviour policies, this freedom must respect the Department for Education’s guidance.

“Safeguarding, equality, and advocacy for the vulnerable and disadvantaged must remain central to all school approaches”. 

Mossbourne has been contacted for comment.