Key facts
- Athena Learning Trust, which oversaw six schools in Cornwall and Devon, is planning to disband due to widespread criticism of its strict disciplinary policies.
- Policies included severe restrictions on toilet breaks during lessons, leading to some students becoming ill from infections.
- Pupils and former teachers described the school environment as 'authoritarian' and 'cruel'.
- The trust's approach disproportionately affected students with special educational needs and disabilities.
- Suspension rates at Athena-run schools were significantly higher than the national average.
- The trust stated it recognized a 'clear need for change' after listening to feedback.
Parents and pupils have successfully campaigned against the strict and 'authoritarian' disciplinary policies implemented by the Athena Learning Trust, which oversees six secondary schools in Cornwall and Devon. The trust announced last month that it plans to disband and transfer its schools to other trusts, acknowledging a 'clear need for change' after listening to feedback.
BBC Panorama spoke to nearly 100 pupils, parents, and former teachers who described the trust's approach as 'cruel' and 'oppressive'. Policies at schools like Camborne Science and International Academy included severe restrictions on toilet visits during lessons, with students reportedly only allowed to go in the middle of a lesson at the teacher's discretion. Some students, like 14-year-old Amelia, stopped drinking water to avoid needing the toilet, leading to serious infections and kidney scarring, according to her mother, Kayley.
Former teachers also reported that the strict discipline stifled learning environments. Ieuan Horgan, a former music teacher, stated his lessons had to be taught in silence, focusing only on silent practice. The trust implemented a two-strike policy, leading to students being sent to 'reflection' rooms for minor infractions. Figures from Launceston College indicated around 1,000 cases per month of pupils being sent to reflection rooms. Athena stated that reflection rooms are supervised environments where students continue learning independently and that they do not have a rigid two-strike policy.
Concerns were also raised about the disproportionate impact of these policies on students with special educational needs and disabilities. April, mother of Jack, who has special educational needs, said her son was frequently sent to reflection and suspended because he struggled with the regimented environment. Government figures showed suspension rates at Ilfracombe Academy were almost five times higher than the national average, with similar rates at other Athena-run schools. Athena stated that suspension rates have fallen significantly in the past year and are reserved for serious or repeated breaches of behaviour expectations.