THE BBC has defended a Panorama investigation into a Wirral school that highlighted staff members using homophobic and ableist language about its pupils. 

Journalist Sarah Hind posed as a work experience student, spending almost seven weeks at LIFE School in Wallasey.

During her time at the school she captured staff members using offensive language to describe pupils, including when they were present.

Pupils were also allegedly manhandled and put into headlocks, according to the reporter who said she also faced sexist abuse. 

The footage was screened on BBC One as part of a Panorama investigation last night (Monday, June 17) with the school subsequently confirming it has suspended five staff.

Merseyside Police has also confirmed it is investigating.

Wirral Council said the “behaviours” outlined by Panorama “can only be described as truly appalling” and that “the impact the events have had on the families of the children who were attending the school concerned is devastating”.

The broadcast drew criticism from the school who accused the BBC of being "highly irresponsible" and putting "a television programme ahead of the interests of vulnerable children."

A spokesperson for LIFE School said: “An undercover investigator failed in her basic safeguarding duties to report significant concerns and had she have done so on day one there would be no television programme and nearly 20 at-risk children would still have a safe environment in which they can learn and develop as young adults."

In a second statement, the school apologised to families and pupils involved, adding: “LIFE Wirral do not condone the behaviour of a small proportion of staff whose actions were aired on last night’s BBC Panorama programme. We are deeply concerned about our students and their families and would like to apologise to all those affected.”

In response to the school's allegations, the BBC said: “The BBC takes issues of safeguarding and protection of vulnerable individuals extremely seriously and has strict editorial guidelines covering undercover investigations, secret recording and investigations involving children.  

"Our investigation was firmly in the public interest and the welfare of the children concerned was our primary consideration. Our undercover reporter gathered evidence over a period of time so we could be confident that what she witnessed demonstrated a clear pattern of behaviour, involving multiple members of staff, and in line with the concerns that had been raised with us.

"Prior to our investigation, the local authority and the school were already aware of safeguarding concerns having previously been made by others, and despite the local authority investigating, this had not resulted in meaningful change.

"In contrast, when we told the local authority about the findings of our investigation, the placements at the school were suspended and new places are being found elsewhere for the children.”

Places at the school - for secondary school age children - cost between £50,000 and £150,000 a year per child, depending on the support they need.

Wirral Council has paid out more than £2.2m in total since the school opened in 2021. Ofsted has rated the school “good”.