Parents, pupils and former staff in Devon and Cornwall campaigned against strict discipline introduced at six Athena Learning Trust schools after a January 2024 takeover. Allegations include restricted toilet access, heavy use of supervised "reflection" rooms and suspension rates far above the national average, particularly affecting pupils with SEND. Following sustained pressure the trust's head resigned, Athena announced plans to disband, and the Department for Education placed the trust under enhanced monitoring. Legal inquiries into potential mistreatment are ongoing.
Parents and Pupils Force Change After 'Authoritarian' Discipline at Athena Schools
Amelia's mother, Kayley (r), says strict school policies resulted in her daughter becoming ill [BBC]
Parents, pupils and former staff across Devon and Cornwall say strict disciplinary measures introduced by the Athena Learning Trust damaged pupils' wellbeing — and their campaign appears to have forced change. Allegations include restricted toilet access, routine use of "reflection" rooms, frequent suspensions and disproportionate sanctions for children with special educational needs.
Camborne Science and International Academy is one of six schools run by the Athena Learning Trust [BBC]
What pupils and parents say
Fourteen-year-old Amelia told investigators she deliberately avoided drinking at school to avoid needing the toilet after teachers enforced rules limiting access during lessons. Her mother, Kayley, says that led to repeated urinary infections and kidney scarring. Many other families reported similar distress; dozens attended town-hall meetings organised by Panorama to give evidence about life inside Athena-run schools.
Former teacher at Launceston, Brian Maywood, initially welcomed the changes brought in by Athena [BBC]
How the rules worked
Athena took over six secondary schools in January 2024. Pupils and former staff say teachers were instructed to refuse toilet requests during the first and last 15 minutes of lessons and to allow breaks only at their discretion. The trust also used "reflection" rooms — supervised spaces where pupils work silently from workbooks after removal from lessons — and followed a two-stage approach described by some as a warning followed by removal from class.
Ieuan Horgan, who taught music at Launceston, said his classes had to be in silence [BBC]
"You're constantly scared you're going to do something wrong," said one student with ADHD.
Impact on vulnerable pupils and staff
Parents and teachers say children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) were particularly affected: some were repeatedly removed from class or suspended. Local authority figures show more than 500 pupils left Athena schools for home education over three years, and government data for 2023–2025 indicate suspension rates at some Athena schools were up to five times the national average. Former teachers describe an atmosphere of silence and fear: one music teacher said lessons were forced into silence, limiting real learning.
Jack, who has special educational needs, was regularly sent to reflection and suspended, his mother says [BBC]
Trust response and official action
Athena has said staff use professional judgement to support pupils and that reflection rooms are supervised environments where students continue learning. After months of campaigning, the trust's head resigned in May and Athena announced plans to disband and transfer its schools to other trusts. The Department for Education has placed the trust under enhanced monitoring while transfers are arranged. Law firm Leigh Day is investigating claims from around 50 families.
Zara says her autistic daughter Hannah, who has hearing difficulties and attends Ilfracombe Academy, was repeatedly removed from class [BBC]
Context and debate
Supporters of stern behaviour policies argue that clear expectations and firm routines can improve behaviour and learning; the government's behaviour adviser, Tom Bennett, says calm, consistent environments help many pupils. Critics counter that overly punitive, one-size-fits-all regimes can harm vulnerable children and that academy governance arrangements can make complaints harder for parents to resolve.
Bethany says the Athena trust has caused "incredible harm" [BBC]
Current status
Until new sponsors are found, Athena continues to operate the schools under enhanced oversight. Parents and campaigners say the episode highlights the need for behaviour policies that balance high expectations with compassion and special educational needs awareness.
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