“A system that weaponizes education into an instrument of silent subjugation”

A former trainee teacher at the flagship school of a multi-academy trust which has been at the centre of allegations of creating "emotional harm” in pupils –which the trust has said it does not recognise - has written a first-person piece on his experiences there.

The article, below, by Sylvain Savier was submitted to Education Uncovered before Christmas, and is based on Mr Savier’s recollections and diary notes of his time spent at Mossbourne Community Academy in Hackney, East London, during the 2015-16 academic year. Mr Savier worked at the school for a half-term during that year as a trainee teacher. His account begins with a description of events during a single day, during his time there. 

The Mossbourne Federation, which now runs seven schools in East London and in Essex, has been in the spotlight since the Observer ran a story in November alleging that pupils were “screamed at” by teachers at one of its schools, Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy (MVPA). Last month, BBC London reported that the Mossbourne Federation is facing allegations of presiding over a “toxic culture” towards its pupils, with more than 150 sources, many relating to MVPA and Mossbourne Community Academy, expressing concerns.

Also in December, the Observer reported that MVPA is to face an independent safeguarding review following the coverage.

Education Uncovered is publishing this first-person piece having approached Mossbourne Community Academy before Christmas with details of the article, and with an invitation to provide a response, of a similar length if necessary, to that printed below. I also posted a request on social media for people with more positive views on Mossbourne to come forward and share them. Neither request has so far been taken up. The Mossbourne Federation told the Observer in November: “We were saddened to read [negative accounts of pupils’ experiences] and we do not recognise the characterisation of the school.”