The multi-academy trust Athena Learning Trust has written to parents of pupils at its schools in Devon and Cornwall following a BBC Panorama investigation into its approach to discipline at its schools in those counties, the Falmouth Packet has reported.
The programme largely focused on Camborne Science & International Academy and Launceston College.
The letter trust’s letter states: “You may be aware that a BBC Panorama programme featuring Athena Learning Trust has been made available for viewing this week. We appreciate that some of the content may be concerning for families and wanted to write to you directly to offer some reassurance.”
All the schools have a two-strike policy: a warning for a first breach and detention for the second, which Athena calls “reflection”. Launceston Pupils are put in “reflection” about 1,000 times a month, where they must work in silence, with some having to wear noise-cancelling headphones.
If pupils break the rules in “reflection”, they can be suspended. The programme highlighted that the suspension rate at Launceston is three times higher than the average for England, while at Camborne it’s about five times higher.
The trust’s letter to parents continued: “As you know, earlier this month the trust announced that its board of trustees had taken the decision to work with the Department for Education to identify alternative trusts for its schools. That decision followed careful consideration and listening to feedback from families, staff and communities, with one clear aim: securing the strongest possible future for every child in our schools as part of the communities they serve.
“Education is a shared endeavour with schools, trusts, local authorities and the Department for Education all working together to ensure that children across Devon and Cornwall receive the best possible education and support. Our schools and the trust are engaging closely and constructively with all our partners across the education sector as we move forward to secure the best for all our children.
“While this work takes place, our focus remains unchanged. Our priority is to provide a safe, caring and purposeful environment where every child can learn, achieve and enjoy their time at school.”