THE furore and concern about fallout from the imposition of a new disciplinary code at schools in Thurrock operated by the Mossbourne Federation shows little sign of fading away.

At a recent full council meeting, Homesteads ward councillor Gary Byrne challenged education portfolio holder Cllr Vikki Hartstean about the large numbers of children withdrawn from Mossbourne's local schools by parents.

Cllr Byrne turned the spotlight on the provision of home education, which has become a chosen option for a large number of parents. He asked if it was doing enough to check on parents who withdrew their children and suggested more than 150 children withdrawn from Mossbourne-run schools in Thurrock had been left "to fend for themselves" with no contact from the council.

Publicity around his statement promoted much comment and criticism on social media and resulted in a number of parents of home educated children contacting the council's education team expressing concern that they were being unfairly maligned. Some council staff also felt that their integrity and commitment to education was being unfairly challenged by Cllr Byrne.

It was almost a perfect storm of accusations and recriminations.

A local network of parents whose children are home educated has now joined the public debate.

In a personally signed letter to all Thurrock councillors (which can be read in full via the link below), parents within the Thurrock EHE Community said:

"We are aware that the local situation with people's dissatisfaction with the Mossbourne Academy schools has led to many people in the area opting for Elective Home Education and this has raised some concerns over the Local Authority's oversight of Home Educators. 

"Parents who have deregistered their children from schools have done so with their child's best interests at the forefront of their decision making, they are actively safeguarding their children from an institution they have deemed harmful. 

"To suggest, as some have done, that parents who have sacrificed their time, careers, finances and lifestyles in order to care for and educate their children, could be abusing them is not only unfounded but deeply insulting.

"Whilst parents are resorting to desperate measures to safeguard their children from the failing education system, what is being done to safeguard the children remaining in these schools?

"What safeguards are being put in place to ensure more children do not resort to self-harming, ideas of suicide, extreme high levels of anxiety around going to school and burn-outs when they get home from school? 

"I can assure you that we personally know of some of these children suffering in these ways.

"Safeguarding children in our communities is the responsibility of the whole community, and as such we must work together to this end, not attacking or accusing each other, but working together to build trust, establish working relationships and develop supportive communities.

"Thurrock Council must be held to account for the ways in which schools are failing our children, but this must not be at the expense of home educators. 

"We implore you to support the rights of Home Educators, trusting us to do the best we can for our children, and supporting Thurrock's EHE team within the Local Authority to uphold our rights, whilst carrying out their duties as we seek to develop our community's working relationship with our local EHE team."

That letter prompted a written response from Cllr Hartstean and council leader Cllr Lynn Worrall, who spoke critically and publicly in December about Mossbourne.

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Cllrs Hartstean (left) and Worrall.

Calling for more joint working and conciliation, their letter says:

"We are writing to acknowledge recent concerns raised about comments made by a local councillor regarding safeguarding and elective home education.

"First, we want to reassure you that we fully recognise the dedication, commitment, and thoughtfulness that so many of you bring to your children's education. Elective home education is a legitimate and valued choice for families, and we are grateful for the time, care, and creativity you invest in supporting your children's learning every day.

"We also appreciate that some of the recent remarks have caused frustration and may have felt unhelpful or misinformed. We understand how important it is that discussions about home education are fair, respectful, and grounded in an accurate understanding of your experiences.

"We are sorry for any worry or upset these comments may have caused.

"Safeguarding is a shared responsibility for all children - whether they are educated in school or at home - and we want to be clear that our approach as a local authority is rooted in partnership, not assumption. 

"Our aim is always to work constructively with families, offering support where needed while recognising and respecting your autonomy as educators.

"Going forward, we will be reiterating within the council the importance of balanced, informed dialogue about home education. 

"It is vital that the language we use reflects trust, openness, and a genuine commitment to working alongside families, not in opposition to them.

"If you would find it helpful, we would be pleased to arrange opportunities for ongoing conversation with home-educating families, so your perspectives continue to inform our work. 

"Your insights are invaluable in helping us shape services that are supportive, proportionate, and responsive to the needs of your children.

"Thank you once again for everything you do. If you have any concerns, questions, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact our education team."

Meanwhile members of Thurrock Council's children's overview and scrutiny committee are to get an update in ongoing investigations into matters within the wider Mossbourne Federation.

The committee requested a review of Mossbourne Federation schools after a highly critical safeguarding report in Hackney exposed serious failings in support for children with special educational needs and disabilities. The report was part of a Hackney Local Safeguarding Children's Board discussion about Mossbourne in December.

The report found Mossbourne schools were failing to implement legally binding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), with concerns 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 since entered discussions with the Department for Education and both Hackney and Thurrock councils.

Michelle Lucas speaking to Mossbourne parents in January 2025.

Thurrock's Assistant Director of Education, Michele Lucas, has met with the Federation's CEO, Peter Hughes, who pledged support for a collaborative approach and agreed that all EHCPs across Mossbourne's Thurrock schools will be reviewed.

Parents will also 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 how recommendations from the Hackney report will be implemented across the federation.

The scrutiny committee will receive a full update at its meeting on Thursday (12 February).

Related stories:-

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CEO responds to criticism: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/ceo-responds-to-parents-concerns-after-more-meetings-and-says-he-is-looking-forward-to-continued-progress-at-schools-260492

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