We, the parents, carers, and members of the local community connected to Moorside High School, are deeply concerned about reports of harmful treatment of children, the consistent failure to provide a safe and supportive learning environment, and systemic neglect of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
 
Moorside High School is entrusted with the vital responsibilities of safeguarding our children, supporting their education, and treating every student with dignity. Instead, many children are experiencing significant harm, including:
 
•⁠  ⁠Severe damage to emotional and mental well-being due to harsh, inappropriate, and disproportionate disciplinary practices
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•⁠  ⁠Denial of access to education through excessive, misused, or unnecessary isolation measures
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•⁠  ⁠Persistent lack of appropriate support for SEND students, despite clear legal duties set out in the SEND Code of Practice
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•⁠  ⁠Punishments applied without consideration for individual needs, circumstances, or underlying vulnerabilities
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•⁠  ⁠Disrespectful communication from staff that erodes self-confidence, self-esteem, and mental health
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•⁠  ⁠Unsubstantiated accusations, leaving children distressed, unfairly blamed, and without proper opportunity to respond
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•⁠  ⁠Potentially unlawful suspensions issued without following correct procedures, proper justification, or fair process
 
These are not isolated incidents or one-off mistakes. They form a clear, consistent pattern of practice that is harming children academically, emotionally, and psychologically—and must be addressed immediately.
 
What We Are Calling For
 
We demand urgent action to protect the rights and safety of every child at Moorside High School. Specifically, we call for:
 
1.⁠ ⁠A full, independent, and unbiased investigation into the school’s behaviour management systems, safeguarding procedures, and treatment of all students—with particular focus on the experiences of SEND learners.
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2.⁠ ⁠A complete review and reform of the school’s behaviour policy, ensuring it is fully lawful, proportionate, trauma-informed, and includes clear, mandatory adjustments and protections for children with SEND.
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3.⁠ ⁠Compulsory, high-quality training for all staff, covering:
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•⁠  ⁠SEND awareness and understanding of legal obligations
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•⁠  ⁠De-escalation techniques and positive behaviour support
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•⁠  ⁠Trauma-informed practice and child development
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•⁠  ⁠Respectful, constructive communication with all students
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4.⁠ ⁠A full review of school leadership, including clear accountability for decisions and practices that have harmed children or breached statutory safeguarding duties.
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5.⁠ ⁠Fully transparent, regular communication with parents and carers regarding all changes, investigation findings, and progress made toward improvement.
 
Why This Matters
 
Every child in the United Kingdom has an absolute right to:
 
•⁠  ⁠Feel safe, secure, and valued at school
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•⁠  ⁠Be treated with dignity and respect at all times
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•⁠  ⁠Receive a full, high-quality education without interruption or exclusion
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•⁠  ⁠Have their individual needs—including SEND—identified, understood, and met
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•⁠  ⁠Be disciplined fairly, lawfully, and in line with their age, needs, and circumstances
 
No school should be permitted to damage children’s well-being, deny them their right to education, or ignore its legal and moral responsibilities. Moorside High School must be held fully accountable, and meaningful, lasting change must start now.
 
The School We Want to See
 
We are campaigning for a school where:
 
•⁠  ⁠Children are supported to thrive, rather than punished or excluded
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•⁠  ⁠SEND needs are understood, planned for, and prioritised—not overlooked or ignored
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•⁠  ⁠All staff treat students with kindness, patience, and professional respect
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•⁠  ⁠Behaviour policies protect vulnerable children and support positive development, rather than cause harm
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•⁠  ⁠Leadership listens to families, acts on concerns, and delivers continuous improvement
 
Sign This Petition
 
By signing this petition, you are standing up for the rights, safety, and future of every child at Moorside High School. Together, we can demand the urgent, meaningful change our children deserve and must have.