Government education officials and MP Mark Reckless have stepped into the row over a primary school’s controversial isolation technique.

The Department for Education has confirmed it will review an “independent investigation” which has apparently backed Brompton Westbrook’s policy of shutting unruly children away, sometimes for long periods, in a cupboard-sized room.

Last week the Messenger told how the trustees had stated they had “full confidence in all staff of the school to continue their outstanding work” following the inquiry’s conclusion, but they would not release the report.

The academy’s statement, issued by the school’s PR firm, immediately prompted Medway Council to refer the matter to the DfE.

A DfE spokesman said: “We are reviewing the investigation into Brompton Westbrook commissioned by the academy trust.

“The school must now take appropriate action – and we are considering what steps to take next if they fail to do so.”

The spokesman added that it was entirely up to the Brompton Westbrook trustees to decide whether to publish the investigation, as it was carried out on their behalf.

But Rochester and Strood MP Mark Reckless is calling on the report to be made public.

He said: “I have written to David Bragger, one of the trustees, to call on him to publish at least some of the report to bring this matter to a conclusion and share it with the police.

“Parents and the public have a right to know what it says.”

Earlier this year, Medway Council conducted its own investigation into the claims after a complaint was made to schools’ watchdog Ofsted by a whistleblower.

A council spokesman said: “We undertook a safeguarding investigation with the police.

“Following this, the council carried out a further investigation into the practice at the school. When our officers visited the school, they were shown a small room the size of a cupboard of around 7ft by 4ft in size with a lock on its door.

“The door was removed that day under the supervision of Medway Council staff so the small room could not be locked again.

“Our investigation, which included taking numerous statements from teachers, pupils and parents past and present, concluded that there was a case of gross misconduct to be answered and four staff should be subject to a disciplinary hearing, which could result in dismissal.”

However, the matter was taken out of the council’s hands when the school, at Kings Bastion, became an academy in October.

The council said its report had to remain confidential so it does not identify the children involved, or the whistleblower, but said the inspection team included a head teacher from an outstanding school who lives and works in London and has no connection with Brompton Westbrook or its staff.

The spokesman added: “We worked closely with Ofsted and with the Department for Education, who stated that if there is any evidence of misconduct they expect the school to take appropriate action. They added they will be monitoring the case closely.

“The school has now released a statement saying that they have full confidence in their staff and that no action will be taken.

“The council has now written to the Department for Education to ask what further action they will take in this matter.”

Brompton Westbrook confirmed that the DfE had been told about the outcome of the investigation commissioned by the trustees.

The trustees of Brompton Westbrook School revealed that “respected law firm” had conducted its investigation.
They had been in regular contact with the DfE, which had seen the report.

In a statement released yesterday (Thursday), they said: “We can confirm that the investigation was carried out by a senior solicitor from the respected regional law firm ASB with the necessary expertise to carry out a thorough investigation. The investigator reviewed all of the information made available to the school by Medway Council plus additional information and evidence.

“Medway Council has not published its report because it is a confidential and legally protected document and similarly the trustees have taken a decision not to publish their independent report.
“The school’s procedures were known to and recommended by independent specialist professionals and specialist advisers employed by Medway Council.”

The trustees insisted that when dealing with children whose behaviour was “extreme”, the school had acted within DfE guidance and the Education Act 1996 at all times.
“Although we are confident that the policies we had in place at the time of the allegations were sound as they had been reviewed by Ofsted, we are finalising an action plan which includes reviewing policies relating to the behaviour, discipline and safeguarding of children,” the statement added.

The school has not been contacted by Kent Police regarding any complaints.