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A number of parents have raised concerns over the standard of teaching at a Solihull school including alleging there’s been bullying by teachers.

Parents have set up a WhatsApp group and contacted their councillor regarding alleged issues at The Heights Academy in Auckland Drive, Smith’s Wood, which teaches children with special educational needs.
Parents have said staff have ‘bullied’ their children, have not been able to handle pupils who have ‘meltdowns’ and also alleged on at least one occasion a pupil has ‘escaped’ from the school site.

Allegations of Solihull school teacher 'bullying' and safeguarding concerns being 'investigated'

Forward Education Trust, which runs the school, acknowledged that concerns have been raised and said it has launched an independent investigation into those allegations.

Councillor Hazel Dawkins (Kingshurst and Fordbridge, Lab) has said she has been in contact with some 15 parents who have highlighted issues at the school.

She said: “I obviously knew about concerns from my point of view back last year when I wasn’t long elected about some issues.

“I came in as a parent at that point. But as soon as I found out the scale, I organised a meeting within a week.

“I have spoken to seven parents face-to-face and more by messaging over WhatsApp. I have spoken to around 15 of them.

“One parent that was willing to be named was Amy and her son Cooper.

“She said most of the teachers talk down to the children and other children are witnessing this.”

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Cllr Dawkins continued: “Parents have spoken to me about a lack of resources. A child escaping from the school site.

“The children not having a space to go to when they have a meltdown.

“On one occasion a children left the room and the school said one member of staff followed the child. That’s not helpful for them.

“There are high levels of suspension and parents called to collect their kids because they are struggling.

Amy told the BBC that her son is autistic, has dyspraxia and anxiety and she has taken him out of the school after just one year.

He has not been at school since October of last year.

Amy claimed her son, Cooper who is 12, had been ‘relentlessly targeted’ and says her claims were ‘not investigated’.

She said: “School is a place where children should feel safe, thrive and create memories, not come home petrified about going the next day.”

Cllr Dawkins continued: “I have come in to support the parents and support the school as well.

“When a school gets it wrong and corrects it that’s what we like to see.

“My position is to support the parents and actually to get the change that’s required for a child.

“A lot of the parents had to fight to get their children into this school in the first place.

“The school have selected somebody to do an investigation.

“I am meeting with the director of children’s services at Solihull Council and asking a question of the council as well about safeguarding.

“Threatening a parent with children’s services – they are taking that seriously at the council level.”

The heights Academy opened in September 2023 and said in its mission statement: “Our role is to enable each individual child to achieve his or her full potential through equality of opportunity provided in a multicultural and inclusive educational setting.

“We believe that learning should be enjoyable, lifelong experience and see parents/carers as our partners in the educative process.”

Simon Dilkes, chief executive officer at the Forward Education Trust, which is responsible for the school said: “Forward Education Trust’s policy is not to discuss individual cases relating to pupils in the media.

“Forward Education Trust is committed to the safety and well-being of all pupils at The Heights Academy.

“We acknowledge that concerns have been raised, our priority now is ensuring a fair and transparent review.