“ANTI-SOCIAL and criminal behaviour” at a school set up to support children with additional needs is “being addressed”, according to the Education Minister – but the government has refused to confirm the nature of the issues or the number of students impacted.
On Saturday, the JEP exclusively revealed that students at La Sente were due to be placed on an altered timetable, with periods of learning moved online, due to “anti-social and criminal activity” at the special-educational-needs school.
An email to parents, leaked to the JEP, explained that the changes were due to be made because of “concerns around the young people’s safety while attending school”.
Yesterday, Education Minister Rob Ward said that the “challenging situation” at the school was being addressed.
“There is new leadership,” he said. “There has been a change in staffing.”
However, Deputy Ward, speaking in the States Chamber, refused to confirm any further details about the situation.
“I don’t think that’s fair on the school,” he said, adding: “I am confident that the challenging decisions that are made, are made for a reason and we hope to make sure that is improved upon rapidly and there is a really effective provision for all of those students.”
The government declined to respond to the JEP’s queries about the nature of the risks described, and the number of students impacted.
