FIVE staff members have been suspended and an investigation is underway after an undercover reporter at BBC Panorama made serious allegations about an independent school for children with special educational needs.

The reporter spent almost seven weeks at Life Wirral in Wallasey.

The BBC reports the Panorama reporter “witnessed staff using offensive language to mock pupils for their neurodiversity or learning disabilities, as well as manhandling them into dangerous headlocks”.

The broadcaster says it carried out the undercover investigation after whistleblowers told Panorama “abuse was still happening there 12 months after the council was warned of problems”.

The school had previously been rated as good by Ofsted.

The BBC added that Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council says the “behaviours” outlined by Panorama “can only be described as truly appalling”.

It reported that the local authority added that “the impact the events have had on the families of the children who were attending the school concerned is devastating”.

The Department for Education told the Globe that “all pupils have now been removed from the school”.

The DfE added that is in contact with the council to make sure an alternative education is provided.

In a statement, Life Wirral confirmed five staff members have been suspended.

The statement said that “regardless of how respected the school was it does not condone the behaviour revealed by the programme and five members of staff have been suspended and will face disciplinary action”.

The school added that it had immediately launched an investigation but added it will be taking legal steps against the BBC.

'Deeply disturbing' allegations

A Department for Education spokesperson told the Globe: “These allegations [against Life Wirral] are deeply disturbing, involving some of the most vulnerable young people in our society.

“All pupils have now been removed from the school by the local authority and we are in close contact with them to make sure an alternative education is provided.

“We have been working closely with Ofsted and the relevant local authorities, including by commissioning an emergency Ofsted inspection last year.

“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action, including permanent closure, should the school try to reopen."

It is understood pupils were removed from the school by the local authority without enforcement action being taken against the school.

However, if the school attempts to reopen, the DfE will then take enforcement action in an attempt to close them down.

Wirral Council statement

In a statement, a spokesperson for Wirral Council said: “The nature of the allegations is truly shocking and far from the kind of care, support and education these young people deserve and should be receiving.

“We acted immediately in a safeguarding capacity to take all the students at this independent school out of the setting.

"Working alongside partners in health and social care, we have been providing practical and emotional support for the young people and their families, which includes identifying appropriate alternative educational provision.

“At all times, we have sought to exercise the powers we have to keep children safe and achieving their educational outcomes and that has included liaising with the Department for Education, as the regulator of independent schools, and Ofsted as the inspectorate.

“We are continuing to work closely with the police as they gather and assess evidence in this case and the Wirral Safeguarding Children Partnership will be commissioning an independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review in due course.”

Who to contact if you are concerned

  • Anyone who is concerned that a child or young person is suffering or at risk of harm should contact Wirral’s Integrated Front Door on 0151 606 2008. It is open 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.
  • Anyone who would like legally-based, independent advice and guidance about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities can contact Wirral SEND Partnership on 0151 522 7990 or email contact@wired.me.uk. Wirral SEND Partnership (SEND IASS) provides free and confidential impartial information, advice and support to disabled children and young people, as well as people with SEN, and their parents.