Pupils and staff do not feel safe at referral unit

Ofsted inspectors rated a pupil referral unit "inadequate" amid concerns that staff and pupils do not feel safe with its secondary provision.

A report, external said "dangerous and disruptive behaviour" was common at College Central, which has its secondary years sites in Hastings and Eastbourne.

Inspectors said leaders recognised the school’s failings but had "exhausted their strategies for improvement".

The trust said it accepted Ofsted's findings, which placed the school in special measures.

Inspectors found that Sabden Multi Academy Trust, which runs the school, had acknowledged some failings but not taken sufficient steps to address them.

Where action had been taken, inspectors said it was "too slow", and pupils aged over 11 continued to be let down.

They added: "Pupils in the secondary phase are not safe.

"The trust and the school have not followed statutory guidance to protect the most vulnerable pupils from risk of significant harm."

They said the school’s capacity to improve was "very limited", but was stronger for primary-aged children.

The school also has sites for primary aged children at Cuckmere House Special School in Seaford and New Horizons Special School in St Leonards, previously rated outstanding.

It provides education for four-16 year olds who have been excluded from mainstream schools across East Sussex.

Jo Foulkes, CEO of the multi academy trust, said: “The wellbeing of our pupils and staff is of the utmost importance to us and we have consistently demonstrated this at our other schools."

The school is in discussions with East Sussex County Council and the Department for Education to hand over the running of College Central to another multi academy trust.

Ms Foulkes said the trust would continue to update parents and carers and it would do all it could to ensure a "smooth and expedient transfer".

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