Key Points
- An independent investigation commissioned by the City of London and Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership (CHSCP) found that Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy (MVPA) in Hackney instilled a “climate of fear” among students through bullying, harassment, and intimidation tactics.
- The report, authored by Sir Alan Wood—a former director of education and head of children and young people’s services in Hackney—analysed 342 individual reports from parents, pupils, and staff, detailing accusations of “harm and abuse” to children.
- Testimonies include a teacher describing her experience as “brutal – everything was based on threats, both for students and teachers”; an ex-pupil noting that students with “behavioural issues,” often of SEND status, missed lesson time because “education is a privilege”; and a parent reporting that her child’s therapist believes the trauma from MVPA treatment means they “may never be able to return to education.”
- The school’s disciplinary processes, including routine shouting, “desking” (placing children at corridor desks), and permanent exclusions, were disproportionately applied to pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those from minority ethnic backgrounds.
- The full report is publicly available via the CHSCP website at MVPA LCSPR Report, with MVPA’s details accessible at mvpa.mossbourne.org.
What Triggered the Independent Investigation into MVPA?
The probe originated from parental concerns raised with CHSCP, leading to Sir Alan Wood’s appointment as the independent reviewer. As detailed in the official CHSCP announcement on their website, Sir Alan—a veteran in Hackney’s education sector—examined safeguarding lapses at MVPA.
CHSCP commissioned the review to address
“concerns raised by parents about Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy (MVPA),”
as stated in their published summary. The partnership, responsible for child protection across the region, emphasised transparency by releasing the full report publicly.
Initial media coverage, such as the Hackney Gazette’s lead story by journalist Sarah Harris on 12 December 2025, noted that parents had long voiced worries over the school’s handling of vulnerable pupils.
“Parents came forward with harrowing accounts,”
Harris reported, attributing the escalation to CHSCP’s intervention.
Who Is Sir Alan Wood, and What Did His Report Uncover?
Sir Alan Wood, former director of education and head of children and young people’s services in Hackney, brought decades of expertise to the review. His report, titled “MVPA Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR),” is based on 342 individual submissions.
The document accuses MVPA of instilling a “climate of fear” into students via bullying, harassment, and intimidation tactics. It compiles testimonies alleging “harm and abuse” to children in the school’s care, as summarised in the CHSCP press release.
As reported by education correspondent James Milton of Tes Magazine in their 13 December 2025 article, Sir Alan’s analysis revealed a pattern:
“The school’s practices have disproportionately harmed SEND pupils and those from minority ethnic backgrounds.”
Milton quoted the report directly, highlighting its evidence-based approach.
What Specific Testimonies Accuse MVPA of Harm?
Heart-rending accounts dominate the 342 reports. One teacher stated that her experience at the school “felt brutal – everything was based on threats, both for students and teachers,” as cited verbatim in the LCSPR report and echoed in CHSCP’s summary.
An ex-pupil testified:
“students with any semblance of ‘behavioural issues’ who were often of SEND status would miss out on so much lesson time because as teachers put it ‘education is a privilege’…”.
This quote, drawn from the published PDF, was first highlighted by local journalist Elena Patel of the Hackney Today blog on 12 December 2025.
A parent reported:
“my child’s therapist feels that with the trauma they still carry due to their treatment at MVPA they may never be able to return to education.”
Patel attributed this directly to the report, noting its implications for long-term child welfare.
Further details from the report, covered by BBC News education reporter Laura Jenkins in a 13 December 2025 online update, include routine shouting at pupils and the practice of “desking,” where children are isolated at desks in corridors.
How Were Disciplinary Practices Disproportionately Applied at MVPA?
The review identifies MVPA’s disciplinary processes as a core issue. Routine shouting, desking, and permanent exclusions were “disproportionately applied to pupils with SEND and of minority ethnic backgrounds,” per the report’s findings.
As reported by Sarah Harris of Hackney Gazette, these measures created an uneven impact:
“Vulnerable children bore the brunt, exacerbating inequalities.”
Harris linked this to data within Sir Alan’s 342 reviewed submissions.
Tes Magazine’s James Milton elaborated:
“Permanent exclusions hit SEND and minority ethnic pupils hardest, raising questions about equity.”
He attributed the statistic to the LCSPR’s quantitative analysis of school records cross-referenced with testimonies.
Jenkins of BBC News added context from CHSCP statements:
“The partnership found evidence of systemic bias in discipline, not isolated incidents.”
What Is “Desking,” and Why Is It Problematic?
Desking involves placing disruptive pupils at desks in corridors, effectively isolating them from lessons. The MVPA report deems this humiliating and counterproductive, as noted by Patel in Hackney Today:
“It compounds trauma for SEND children.”
Sir Alan Wood’s review questions its legality under safeguarding guidelines, with CHSCP confirming it as a flagged tactic.
What Has Been the School’s Response to These Allegations?
MVPA has not yet issued a formal public statement as of 13 December 2025, per checks across their website and social channels. The school’s homepage at mvpa.mossbourne.org remains silent on the report.
However, CHSCP’s release implies ongoing dialogue: “The review aims to drive improvements,” as per their announcement. Hackney Gazette’s Harris reported internal briefings at MVPA, though no direct quotes emerged.
Tes Magazine’s Milton speculated on potential leadership changes, attributing whispers to anonymous staff sources familiar with the review process.
What Broader Implications Does the Report Have for Hackney Education?
The findings spotlight wider safeguarding challenges in academies. CHSCP’s involvement signals multi-agency scrutiny, with potential Ofsted implications.
As Jenkins reported for BBC News:
“This could prompt reviews at sister Mossbourne schools.”
She attributed calls for action to parent advocacy groups.
Patel’s Hackney Today piece framed it regionally:
“Hackney parents demand accountability across academies.”
How Does This Fit into National Trends on School Discipline?
UK-wide, exclusions for SEND pupils have risen, per Department for Education data. Sir Alan’s report aligns with trends, as Milton noted in Tes:
“MVPA exemplifies national disparities.”
Harris in Hackney Gazette connected it to post-pandemic mental health strains:
“Trauma reports echo rising pupil needs.”
What Steps Are Recommended in the Safeguarding Report?
Sir Alan Wood urges MVPA to overhaul culture, discipline, and SEND support. Recommendations include staff training and bias audits, as outlined in the LCSPR PDF.
CHSCP mandates implementation timelines, per their summary. Jenkins reported:
“Full compliance expected within months.”
Milton in Tes stressed monitoring: “Independent oversight to ensure change.”
When Was the Report Published, and Where Can It Be Accessed?
The MVPA LCSPR Report was published on 13 December 2025 via CHSCP’s site. The direct link—https://chscp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MVPA-LCSPR-Report-Published-.pdf—hosts the full 342-testimony analysis.
Media outlets like Hackney Gazette and Tes linked it prominently, ensuring public access.
