CEO responds to parents' concerns after more meetings and says he is looking forward to continued progress at schools
FOLLOWING meetings with parents and carers of children at its Port Side and Fobbing Academies, the CEO of the Mossbourne educational trust has issued a public message about changes to policies within the school.
Peter Hughes, has cut something of a controversial and much-criticised figure since taking over, first as interim CEO of the outgoing and failing ORTU Trust and then at the helm when Hackney-based Mossbourne took over the reins permanently at the start of this year.
Much of the news and public opinion about Mossbourne since the announcement of its succession from ORTU to take over the running of Gable Hall and Hassenbrook secondary schools and Corringham Primary School has been negative.
There has been anger over its strict dress code and disciplinary processes and clashes with teachers belonging to the NASWT resulted in strikes and other industrial action within the schools. Changes of the names of the three schools was also criticised and numerous parents and carers have protested that the school has not responded to their complaints and concerns.
That public disquiet resulted in a public meeting called by a parents committee meeting in January when local councillors, including the authority leader Cllr John Kent, pledged to investigate safeguarding concerns and to ensure the right of parents to have access to a complaints procedure was upheld.
In the intervening five months, public disquiet appears to have lessened though issues remain – some of them articulated by Homesteads independent ward councillor Gary Byrne, who has been a vocal critic of the regime under Mossbourne.
Among his concerns are the unyielding implementation of a tougher dress code, unease over how disciplinary punishments are allocated and consternation of the quality and value of school meals at the schools.
He continues to press Thurrock Council's education portfolio holder Cllr Vikky Harstean to take a more robust role over Mossbourne, saying: "Issue after issue, the plight of the parents and students continues and Mossbourne are not responding to them and I am very disappointed the Director of Education is not stepping up to support them.
"Many of these issues, including the way young female students are treated as they deal with the issues of growing through adolescence, leave myself and residents who contact me very concerned.
"They relate to safeguarding under which Thurrock Council has full powers to step in and act but it does little. We need to see more from our portfolio holder and our education director."
By way of countering Cllr Byrne's concerns, and after two recent meetings, Mr Hughes says that in the interests of transparency and openness he wants to make it clear what is expected from students and parents and says that he acknowledges there have been some legitimate grievances, but insists they are being responded to and put right under the ethos that Mossbourne uses to grow and improve schools.
In his letter to parents, which he as also asked Thurrock Nub News to publish, he deals with issues of changes to the school calendar, uniform regulations and dress code implementation including details of what financial support may be available, catering concerns - which he acknowledges have had 'teething problems', staffing levels and communication.
Mr Hughes' full letter can be read via this link.
He concludes by saying: "Finally, I wish to offer my gratitude, again, to parents and carers who attended the parental engagement evenings and to those who have spoken to myself and staff at the academies.
"I look forward to continuing to work with students, staff, parents and carers and also look forward to celebrating Year 11 and Year 13 outcomes this coming August."
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