AN UNDER-fire academy educational trust has been hit with a series of complaints to education watchdog Ofsted since taking over three south Essex schools, according to council documents.

A report to Thurrock's people scrutiny committee reveals a series of complaints have been made to Ofsted about the Mossbourne Federation, which runs Mossbourne Port Side School, Mossbourne Fobbing Academy and Mossbourne Herd Lane – formerly known as Hassenbrook Primary School, Gable Hall School and the Corringham Academy.

A complaint against Mossbourne Port Side, formerly Hassenbrook, involved the support for a child with long-term mental health difficulties and the academy's lack of support resulting in self harm, suicidal thoughts and the child being withdrawn from the school.

Two other complaints about Mossbourne Fobbing, formerly Gable Hall School, came from a student who complained about the school's "management of the students during the period that the teachers were locked out because of industrial action" and a staff complaint concerning a "teacher and his management of a serious accident during a rugby session".

The Hackney-based trust has previously come under fire for its overly strict approach at its east London schools.

An independent review, ordered by the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership, was commissioned in December to "determine if the concerns can be substantiated" into the claims against the Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy.

At its last meeting, Neil Speight, chairman of Thurrock council's people scrutiny committee, previously revealed how a child had been left to sit in wet clothing after being refused access to a toilet.

Cllr Speight, who will preside over the next meeting on Tuesday when the latest complaints will be discussed, said: "Concerns around the Mossbourne Trust continue and, as pledged at our last meeting, officers within Thurrock Council who have education and safeguarding responsibilities will continue to report back to the scrutiny committee.

"I am watching closely events that are taking place in Hackney, where I understand matters in Thurrock are now being discussed as part of a probe into the effectiveness of the Mossbourne mantra."

The Mossbourne Educational Trust took over the schools from the Ortu Academy Trust in January this year.

The trust has declined to comment when contacted.