THE controversial Mossbourne Federation’s high academic results are coming under scrutiny amid claims they are being achieved “at the expense” of children with special educational needs and disabilities.
The federation, which has achieved high results in Hackney and whose Thurrock schools are improving, is now the subject of a Thurrock Council review following serious concerns about how SEND pupils are treated.
The move follows a safeguarding report into Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy in Hackney which found vulnerable pupils were reportedly “being punished for behaviours directly linked to their needs or disabilities” and Education, Health and Care Plans were not being properly delivered.
Despite Mossbourne schools regularly recording outstanding GCSE results – with up to 70 per cent of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths and more than half of all grades at 7+ in some cohorts – the report described staff actions that some pupils experienced as “cruel”.
Independent Homesteads councillor Gary Byrne claimed the federation’s results-driven culture risks excluding the very children schools have a duty to support.
“Mossbourne’s academic results are undeniably strong. Every parent wants their child in a high performing school,” he said.
“But results can never come at the expense of vulnerable children.
“From speaking to parents, there is a pattern where SEND pupils are disproportionately leaving, being removed, or not receiving their entitled support.
“That cannot be hidden behind league tables.”
Mr Byrne said parents of SEND pupils in Thurrock feel “failed by the system”, with some families withdrawing their children and receiving no contact from the council for months.
“If Mossbourne’s results are rising while SEND pupils are disproportionately exiting, that demands proper independent scrutiny,” he said.
“No school should be able to quietly shed complexity to protect performance.”
He called for full transparency from both Mossbourne and Thurrock Council, including data on SEND admissions, leavers, EHCPs, managed moves and alternative provision placements.
“Success must apply to every child, especially the most vulnerable,” he added.
“If the trust and the council are confident everything is above board, then publish the data. Transparency ends speculation; silence fuels it.”
Thurrock’s Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee will receive an update on the review on February 12.
Multiple members of Mossbourne senior leadership team have been caught supplying underage pupils alcohol at their house. I reported this, but it was never investigated. Miss Duller supplied Sofia Duller Hore as well as her autistic boyfriend Raf and a pupil named Lila alcohol at her property in South Woodford – Crealock Grove.