Abbey School in Faversham denies it has become 'like a military school'
05:00, 21 October 2021
updated: 13:04, 21 October 2021
A secondary has strongly denied it has become like a "military school" since enforcing strict new rules following a visit by "Britain's strictest head".
Barry Smith, whose disciplinary approach has sparked controversy, was deployed to the Abbey School in Faversham last month.
His visit angered some parents, who claimed their children were ordered to attend ‘discipline assemblies’, fold their arms when they speak and chant phrases about good behaviour.
New rules have since been enforced, which has led to more criticism of the tougher approach taken by teachers.
But bosses insist the school offers a “supportive and friendly environment”.
Rebecca Saunders, 40, says her daughter, who is in Year 10, and a group of friends were punished after arriving one minute late to school on Thursday when their train was delayed.
She claims they were put into “isolation” for 45 minutes and were told they would have to return for half-an-hour after school.
“I phoned them and said she has got to come home because my daughter will miss the train and it’s giving her anxiety,” Ms Saunders said.
“Most of the kids I know are getting anxious, upset and don’t want to go to school because they’re so scared they’re going to get in trouble over silly things.
"The school have gone a bit over the top with all these punishments and has turned into a military school.”
Ms Saunders, who has sent a formal complaint, says the tough new rules are impacting her daughter’s mental health.
“My other daughter forgot her ruler and she was sent to isolation,” she added.
“She asked if she could use the toilet and she hid there for two-and-a-half hours because she was too scared to come out.
“The school needs to be fully aware of their actions because I don’t think they realise what it’s doing to the children.”
But in a statement, the Abbey said “no school is going to put a child into ‘isolation’ for being one minute late or just a single instance of forgetting one bit of equipment”.
“That simply does not happen and it would serve no purpose to do so,” it adds.
“We also only start to formally record lateness five minutes after students should be on the playground at the start of the day. Where there are genuine public transport issues, we endeavour to act empathetically.”
The Abbey School has confirmed a number of rules have been introduced to enhance its “culture of politeness, courtesy and respect”.
These include talking in full sentences, projecting voices, sitting up straight and listening, remembering basic manners, greeting each other and asking if people are having a good day.
They said there is no such thing as “isolation”. Instead pupils that need “specialist support” are either in a “reflection room”, "personalised education centre" or other pastoral areas.
“If a child has an issue with anxiety, we have specialist trained colleagues that can work with them,” the statement adds.
The school says the idea it uses military tactics is an “anathema”, adding: “Yes, we are well ordered and work together to achieve our aims.
“Our school environment is also more structured than most to ensure that our learners have the scaffolding needed to help them build up the habits needed to be successful in later life.”
During Mr Smith’s visit, pupils were reportedly pulled up for not maintaining eye contact with staff and speaking too quietly when addressing teachers.
School bosses said Mr Smith was brought in to ensure children “develop good learning habits” following their return to the classroom after a disjointed year.
He claimed in a tweet that he was applauded by staff for culture changes he enforced.
