Mossbourne heads take on expanded roles amid safeguarding probe

Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy. Image: Google

The head of a Hackney academy currently subject to a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review has been appointed as the head of another secondary school.

The City and Hackney Child Safeguarding Partnership (CHSCP) in December last year announced a safeguarding review into Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy (MVPA) following hundreds of complaints regarding the schools’ treatment of pupils.

MVPA’s Executive Principal, Matthew Toothe, is now also head of Mossbourne Port Side Academy.

Similarly, the Executive Principal of Hackney Downs’ Mossbourne Community Academy (MCA), Rebecca Warren, is now also heading up Mossbourne Fobbing Academy.

Both Mossbourne Port Side Academy and Mossbourne Fobbing Academy are based in Thurrock, Essex.

Prior to the launch of the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review, Hackney Council had received a dossier of allegations from parents at MVPA who “felt that these suggested likely widespread and long-term abuse of children”, according to the CHSCP.

There have been more than 300 complaints in total, and many of these refer to MCA, the BBC has reported.

The review’s terms of reference state: “Whilst recognising that the concerns submitted include reference to other schools, the review is taking a proportionate approach pursuant to the original concerns and in line with its primary purpose (to identify learning). As such, it will concentrate its activity on MVPA.”

However, alleged incidents “either within or outside the Mossbourne Federation” would be considered if deemed necessary.

Sally Feeney stepped down from her role as Principal at the Hassenbrook Academy when the Mossbourne Federation took over on 1 January 2025, and it was renamed as Mossbourne Port Side Academy.

Andrew Scott acted as Interim Principal of Mossbourne Port Side Academy until Matthew Toothe’s appointment as Executive Principal.

Mossbourne Fobbing Academy was formerly known as Gable Hall School.

The previous head of Gable Hall School, and then interim head of Mossbourne Fobbing Academy, was Sam Cooper.

Both Essex schools were run by the Ortu Federation prior to being taken over by the Mossbourne Federation.

Mossbourne Federation, Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, and Mossbourne Community Academy were approached for comment.