School trust to dissolve after discipline concerns

A controversial multi-academy trust has announced it will dissolve and transfer its schools to other organisations.

The Athena Learning Trust, which runs nine schools across Devon and Cornwall, wrote parents a letter saying "trustees have agreed change is needed" to secure "the strongest possible outcome for the children in our schools".

The decision comes after parents complained about the trust's strict disciplinary measures which they said had a detrimental impact on pupils' education and mental health.

North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire welcomed the announcement saying it was "an important step for pupils and parents". The BBC has contacted the trust and the Department For Education for comment.

Athena Learning Trust runs three secondary schools and three primary schools in Cornwall and three secondary schools in Devon.

In May, the school's chief executive Ben Parnell announced he would be leaving at the end of this summer.

In a letter dated 13 July, the chair of trustees Elaine Marshall told parents they would work with the Department for Education to identify alternative trusts to which the schools could transfer.

In May parents of children at the Athena-run Camborne Science and International Academy, Launceston College and Pool Academy complained about restrictions on toilet use and children being removed from class for having incorrect stationery, amongst other issues.

At the time the trust insisted it aimed to provide an inclusive and calm environment so children received the education they deserved.

MP Ben Maguire said he had met a number of concerned parents, students, trust representatives and Department for Education officials in recent months following reports of "serious issues relating to SEND provision and concerns around student punishments".

Camborne, Redruth and Hayle MP Perran Moon said he had also been dealing with "significant casework" relating to pupils at schools run by the trust and had been talking to education ministers about "the volume of suspensions and exclusions".

Councillor James Ball, who has a child at one of the schools, arranged a public meeting for parents in February after almost 3,000 suspensions were handed out at Camborne Science and International Academy during the 2023/24 academic year.

He said discipline was necessary but it was "the way it is implemented" which was problematic.

Ball said he had been told children had been removed from the classroom for reasons including a pen running out, putting their hand up at the wrong time and for looking out of the window.

"It has been a heart-wrenching time for many young people and parents," he added.

Marshall told parents there would be no immediate changes at the trust and no decisions had yet been made about which trusts individual schools may join.

She added the process would take "a significant period of time".

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