I’m a primary school headteacher… I’m horrified at the local secondary academy’s strict rules where kids can’t say ‘no’

A PRIMARY school headteacher is horrified at the local secondary academy's strict rules.

Yusuf Gleason said Mossbourne Community Academy "should be ashamed" of how it treats children, adding: "They have such draconian education policies you would think they don't care."

The school's behavioural policy warns students not to talk in the corridors, obey staff without question and bans distinct hairline shaping.

And Mr Gleason said the academy chain in Hackney, East London, is "instilling fear into children".

He told : "I know students who have learning difficulties and these academies make their lives hell.

"I've had parents call me saying that their child had been excluded because his haircut was wrong.

"This was a SEND child who we had helped and finally given the confidence to get into school and you're excluding a child for that?"

"If you question these academies, they talk to you like you have no right.

"These academies make their rules super strict and stop children from being creative. Their rules are draconian.

"As professional teachers, do they not look at themselves and question these behavioural policies?

"They are making these children robots. Children aren't able to say hi, can't say no, not look at each other, it's wrong."

He said several meetings he has had with Mossbourne officials have ended abruptly.

Deputy Head Julie Barry said: "We know students who are SEND and we fill in information that the schools will need to support them.

"We had a child who had a one-to-one teaching assistant here, went to Mossbourne and they never provided one then they told the parent their child was disruptive.

"No, the child doesn't comprehend what's happening and needs support."

A Mossbourne Federation spokesperson said: “We care deeply about the wellbeing of all our students and this will always be our top priority. We consulted our whole community on our updated behaviour policy, including former students.

"We are pleased that, having reviewed our data, no particular group of children, including those with Afro-textured hair, are disproportionately affected.

“It is also important to note that academies do not have any right to enforce stricter behaviour policies than any other school.

"Mossbourne schools have the highest proportion of students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the Borough of Hackney.

"We provide SEND students with excellent support and we are proud that our SEND provision at Mossbourne Community Academy has been described as ‘first class’ by Ofsted.

"We are open to discussing any concerns and encourage parents and guardians to speak with us about any issues.”