Safeguarding Review Raises Concerns Over Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy’s Strict Discipline Policies

Critical Review Published for Hackney Secondary School

Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, a high-achieving secondary school in Hackney, has come under intense scrutiny following the publishing of Sir Alan Wood’s independent Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review this week. The report, commissioned in December 2024 by the City of London & Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership (CHSCP) to look into concerns raised by a number of parents about the experiences of their children at Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, has sparked significant debate about the balance between academic excellence and student wellbeing.

Key Findings and Concerns

The review uncovered troubling issues within the academy’s approach to discipline and student welfare. The review found that shouting, public humiliation and a lack of support for pupils with special needs took place, with the report identifying systemic problems with harmful practices, cultural problems and governance shortcomings. Of particular concern, the report makes it clear that children with special educational needs are suffering most due to the schools’ “climate of fear”.

The review makes a number of recommendations including a revision of the Federation’s Code of Conduct to explicitly prohibit shouting at individual pupils; the strengthening of the Federation’s complaints process; and engagement with pupils, parents, staff, multi-agency partners and external experts on the Federation’s behaviour policy.

School and Council Responses

In response to the findings, Principal Matthew Toothe assured readers the academy takes the review “very seriously”. The Mossbourne Federation acknowledged receipt of the report and stated it was considering it “carefully and in detail” alongside its Members Trust, board and senior leadership team.

Hackney Council recognised that the publishing of the review is a critical moment in addressing concerns raised about children’s experiences at Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, though it noted that as a local authority, its ability to influence the policies of academy schools is limited.

Wider Implications

The review’s significance extends beyond one school. There are lessons in this report for MVPA, the wider Mossbourne Federation, the Department for Education, and indeed for Ofsted. The findings have also raised concerns about Mossbourne-run schools in other areas, with the Federation recently taking over the running of three schools in Thurrock, where some parents have raised similar issues to those detailed in the report, most related to the Federation’s approach to discipline.

While the academy’s academic outcomes are amongst the best in the country, this review underscores the ongoing national conversation about whether strict disciplinary measures should be reconsidered when they may negatively impact vulnerable students’ wellbeing and mental health.