THE educational trust poised to make a controversial takeover of borough schools found itself subject to a BBC television news investigation where it was said to preside over a "toxic culture" toward its pupils.

It is a report that will offer little comfort to parents of children at Hassenbrook Academy in Stanford-le-Hope and Gable Hall School in Corringham which will come under the official Mossbourne Trust at year end.

There has been considerable controversy over the Hackney-based Mossbourne Trust's takeover of the Ortu Federation, which runs Hassenbrook and Gable Hall – and Corringham Primary.

And recent days have seen industrial action by teachers at Gable Hall where teachers have been 'locked out' after starting a work-to-rule opposing changes to the terms and conditions of their employment.

Around 25 teachers spent the latter part of the week on a picket line – supported by parents and officials from the NASUWT teaching union.

Many of those parents have spoken of renewed concern after watching yesterday's BBC report where more than 150 current and former pupils, parents, former teachers and professionals have shared their experiences of the Mossbourne Federation schools in Hackney.

The allegations, which span two decades, include claims of racism and that teachers would routinely scream at pupils for minor infractions, with "public humiliation" being commonplace.

A Mossbourne Federation spokesperson said it was being targeted by a "vexatious campaign" and it offered a safe learning environment for all its pupils, as evidenced by positive Ofsted reports and local authority reviews.

The federation runs two primaries, two secondaries and a sixth form, which a total of about 3,500 students attend.

Many of the complaints relate to the treatment of pupils at the two secondary schools - Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy (MVPA) and Mossbourne Community Academy (MCA).

Current and former students and parents have described an environment where fear and intimidation were used to enforce a strict "no-excuses" approach to discipline to achieve strong academic results.

They alleged it affected mental wellbeing and impacted those with special educational needs and disabilities disproportionately.

The full BBC report can be read via this link.

A spokesperson for the Department for Education, the government department that sanctioned Mossbourne's takeover of Ortu, said: "These allegations are deeply distressing.

"We are clear that schools should be a safe and supporting environment where every child, including those with special educational needs, can achieve and thrive."

Yesterday (Friday, 13 December) the DfE's regional head of East of England said he did not see any reason for the takeover not to go ahead.

Parents of children at the Ortu schools have been invited to a meeting to discuss the takeover on 2 January.

"We are working urgently with the local authority and the Mossbourne Federation to establish the facts and any necessary action."