Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy
Description
It is the second school to be named under Mossbourne Academy. The school was created in 2014: the building formerly used by Cardinal Pole Roman Catholic School was first built to drawings by Robert Lewis Roumieu for the French Hospital (La Providence), which opened there in 1865. In the summer of 2019 the first cohort's GCSE results placed the academy in the top 65 schools in England for student progress. The headteacher is Matthew Toothe.
As of 2024, the school's most recent inspection by Ofsted was in 2023, with a judgement of Outstanding.
Buildings
The school has two buildings: the Huguenot building and the Carroll building which is new and was officially opened in January 2015.
Behaviour policy
The school has a rigidly enforced behaviour policy. Students must repeat the academy reflection before each lesson:
"Throughout this lesson I aspire to maintain an inquiring mind, a calm disposition and an attentive ear, so that in this class and all classes, I can fulfil my true potential."
In November 2024, The Observer reported that some parents and former teachers have raised concerns about the school's behavioural policies.
Leaders at the school said that "We were saddened to read these accounts as we do not recognise the characterisation of the school". Since the original article The Observer received further allegations about schools run by the Mossbourne Federation. In December 2024, the Department for Education said "We are working urgently with the local authority and the Mossbourne Federation to establish the facts and any necessary action". Hackney's independent child safeguarding commissioner convened a multi-agency meeting which decided to undertake a child safeguarding practice review led by Alan Wood, former director of children's services in Hackney.
In December 2024 The Guardian published a letter signed by 314 current and former parents which presented another side to the argument, defending the school's positive impact on the students under its care.
Alumni
- Sonny Perkins, a professional football player who has played for West Ham United F.C. and Leeds United F.C., studied at Mossbourne.
References
- ^ Second Mossbourne Academy given the go-ahead in South Hackney despite misgivings from English Heritage
- ^ Jestico + Whiles' reworked Mossbourne Academy plans approved
- ^ Conway, Simon (2023). "Inspection of Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy". Ofsted. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Fazackerley, Anna (23 November 2024). "Teachers at top academy in Hackney 'screamed at' and humiliated pupils, say angry parents". The Observer. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Fazackerley, Anna (7 December 2024). "Top London academies face mass claims of emotional harm as Whitehall acts on crisis". The Observer. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ McCamley, Frankie; Kelly, James (13 December 2024). "Schools accused of 'toxic and humiliating culture'". BBC News. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ Fazackerley, Anna (15 December 2024). "School in leading Mossbourne academy trust faces safeguarding review". The Observer. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2024/dec/22/observer-letters-schools-change-lives-for-better