Mossbourne Schools Review: Hackney Safeguarding Failings Hit Thurrock

Key Points

• A review of Mossbourne Federation schools is currently underway following a highly critical safeguarding report in Hackney that exposed serious failings in support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• The review was requested by Thurrock Council’s Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee after the publication of a Hackney Local Safeguarding Children’s Board learning report in December.
• The Hackney report found that Mossbourne schools were failing to implement legally binding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), with concerns raised about reduced numbers of teaching assistants, inflexible behaviour policies, and SEND pupils being denied recommended support.
• One staff member alleged they were told to “just shout at her” when seeking advice on helping a pupil experiencing Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance.
• Senior Mossbourne leaders have entered discussions with the Department for Education (DfE) and both Hackney and Thurrock councils.
• Thurrock’s Assistant Director of Education met with the federation’s CEO, who pledged support for a collaborative approach and agreed that all EHCPs across Mossbourne’s Thurrock schools will be reviewed during January and February.
• Parents will be contacted for their views on how plans are being delivered.
• The chairman of Mossbourne Trustees contacted both local authorities and the DfE to arrange a joint meeting last month to agree on implementing recommendations from the Hackney report across the federation.
• Gary Byrne, Independent councillor for The Homesteads, revealed that more than 150 children withdrawn from Mossbourne-run schools in Thurrock had been left “to fend for themselves” with no contact from the council.
• Mr Byrne told a recent full council meeting that families choosing elective home education had gone months without visits, despite assurances that safeguarding checks were in place.
• “It should not take a councillor publicly challenging children’s services to get them to pick up the phone to families,” Mr Byrne said. “If officers are only now making contact after being questioned, that’s proof the system wasn’t working.”
• Frustration in Thurrock has been mounting since Mossbourne took over three former Ortu schools in January: Mossbourne Fobbing Academy, Port Side Academy, and Herd Lane Primary.

Thurrock (East London Times) February 7, 2026 – A comprehensive review of the Mossbourne Federation schools has been launched in response to a damning safeguarding report from Hackney, highlighting severe shortcomings in support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. The initiative, driven by Thurrock Council’s Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, comes after the Hackney Local Safeguarding Children’s Board released its learning report in December, which criticised the federation’s failure to adhere to legally binding Education, Health and Care Plans. Senior leaders from Mossbourne have now engaged with the Department for Education and local authorities to address these issues head-on.

What Triggered the Review of Mossbourne Schools?

The catalyst for the review was the Hackney Local Safeguarding Children’s Board learning report published in December, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporter for Thurrock Nub News. This document exposed serious failings within Mossbourne schools operating in Hackney, particularly in their handling of children with special educational needs and disabilities. Key concerns included the failure to implement legally binding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), alongside reduced numbers of teaching assistants, inflexible behaviour policies, and instances where SEND pupils were denied recommended support.

One particularly alarming allegation came from a staff member who claimed they were advised to “just shout at her” when seeking guidance on supporting a pupil experiencing Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance, according to the same report covered by the Local Democracy Reporter. These revelations prompted immediate action from oversight bodies, with Thurrock Council’s Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee formally requesting a federation-wide review to prevent similar issues in their jurisdiction.

Which Schools Are Involved in the Mossbourne Federation Review?

The review encompasses all schools under the Mossbourne Federation, with specific focus on those in Thurrock following the recent takeover of three former Ortu schools in January. These include Mossbourne Fobbing Academy, Port Side Academy, and Herd Lane Primary, as detailed in reports from Thurrock Nub News by the Local Democracy Reporter. Frustration among local stakeholders has been building since this transition, amid concerns over safeguarding and support continuity.

In Hackney, the original report spotlighted systemic issues across Mossbourne sites, but the review’s scope has expanded to ensure uniform standards federation-wide. The chairman of Mossbourne Trustees took proactive steps by contacting both Hackney and Thurrock councils, as well as the Department for Education (DfE), to arrange a joint meeting last month. This gathering aimed to establish a clear plan for implementing the Hackney report’s recommendations across all federation schools.

How Are Leaders Responding to the Safeguarding Concerns?

Senior Mossbourne leaders have swiftly entered discussions with key stakeholders, demonstrating a commitment to rectification. Thurrock’s Assistant Director of Education held a meeting with the federation’s CEO, who pledged full support for a collaborative approach, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporter in Thurrock Nub News. During this encounter, it was agreed that all EHCPs across Mossbourne’s Thurrock schools would undergo thorough review in January and February.

Parents are set to play a vital role, with plans to contact them directly for feedback on EHCP delivery. This parent engagement initiative underscores the federation’s intent to rebuild trust and ensure compliance. The chairman of Mossbourne Trustees further reinforced this by facilitating the joint meeting with local authorities and the DfE, focusing on actionable steps from the Hackney findings.

What Criticisms Have Emerged from Thurrock Councillors?

Independent councillor Gary Byrne for The Homesteads has voiced sharp concerns over the handling of children withdrawn from Mossbourne-run schools in Thurrock. At a recent full council meeting, Mr Byrne revealed that more than 150 children opting for elective home education had been left “to fend for themselves” without council contact, despite prior assurances of safeguarding checks, according to coverage in Thurrock Nub News by the Local Democracy Reporter.

“It should not take a councillor publicly challenging children’s services to get them to pick up the phone to families,”

Mr Byrne stated.

“If officers are only now making contact after being questioned, that’s proof the system wasn’t working.”

These comments highlight deeper systemic flaws, particularly as Mossbourne assumed control of the three Thurrock schools amid rising local discontent.

Why Have Over 150 Children Left Mossbourne Schools?

The exodus of more than 150 children from Mossbourne schools in Thurrock, as highlighted by Councillor Gary Byrne, stems from families electing home education without adequate follow-up support. Mr Byrne’s intervention at the council meeting exposed months-long delays in visits, raising alarms about vulnerable pupils slipping through the cracks. This issue compounds the Hackney report’s findings, amplifying calls for urgent reform.

What Specific Failings Were Identified in the Hackney Report?

The Hackney Local Safeguarding Children’s Board learning report, published in December, pinpointed multiple deficiencies in Mossbourne’s approach to SEND support. Schools were found non-compliant with legally binding EHCPs, a cornerstone of statutory provision for vulnerable children. Additional red flags included dwindling teaching assistant numbers, rigid behaviour policies unsuited to diverse needs, and outright denial of recommended interventions for SEND pupils.

The staff member’s account of being told to “just shout at her” for a pupil with Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance exemplifies a troubling culture, as relayed by the Local Democracy Reporter. These lapses not only breach legal obligations but also undermine pupil welfare, prompting the broader review.

When Will EHCP Reviews Take Place in Thurrock Schools?

All EHCPs in Mossbourne’s Thurrock schools—Mossbourne Fobbing Academy, Port Side Academy, and Herd Lane Primary—will be reviewed during January and February, following the agreement between Thurrock’s Assistant Director of Education and the federation’s CEO. This timeline ensures swift action post the CEO’s pledge for collaboration. Parent consultations will run concurrently, gathering essential insights to refine delivery.

How Does Mossbourne’s Takeover Affect Thurrock Families?

Since Mossbourne’s January takeover of the three ex-Ortu schools, Thurrock families have grappled with heightened uncertainty, exacerbated by the Hackney report’s timing. Mounting frustration reflects fears over disrupted SEND support and council oversight gaps, as voiced by Councillor Byrne. The ongoing review seeks to stabilise this transition, with federation leaders engaging DfE and councils to align practices.

What Steps Are Local Authorities Taking?

Thurrock Council’s Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee spearheaded the review request, while both Hackney and Thurrock councils collaborate with the DfE via the trustees’ convened meeting. Safeguarding checks for home-educated children are now accelerating in response to Councillor Byrne’s challenge. These multi-agency efforts aim to enforce the Hackney recommendations uniformly.

What Lies Ahead for Mossbourne Federation?

The joint meeting arranged by the Mossbourne Trustees chairman last month marks a pivotal step toward federation-wide implementation of safeguards. With EHCP reviews underway and parent input promised, the focus remains on restoring compliance and confidence. However, Councillor Byrne’s revelations underscore the need for proactive, not reactive, child welfare measures to prevent future oversights.