Allegations of Abuse at Former Cumbria School Reportedly Increasing

A lawyer has stated that over 15 individuals have presented allegations of physical and sexual abuse at an educational institution that provided care for vulnerable young people. Wings School Cumbria, located in Milnthorpe, ceased operations in July following an Ofsted finding that its methods of physical intervention involved “pupils subjected to excessive force and unsafe holds”. Cumbria Police announced last week that it was investigating abuse allegations at a South Cumbria school and indicated its intention to identify additional potential victims. The BBC has heard accounts from three former pupils who reported experiencing physical assaults, particularly during restraint incidents, which they characterized as “brutal” and “excruciating”. Wings School Cumbria functioned as an independent residential school, catering to students aged nine to 17 who experienced social, emotional, and mental health challenges, alongside specific learning difficulties. Oakwood Solicitors confirmed it is handling cases spanning from 2003 to 2024, primarily concerning “physical assaults in the form of or committed during excessive restraints, but there are a small number of allegations of abuse of a sexual nature”. Solicitor Molly Frost stated that over 15 claims are currently being pursued against Kedleston Group, the operator of the school, concerning Wings Cumbria. She further indicated that this number was “likely to increase to more than 20 soon” and that “we are receiving new enquires every week”. Terrance Douglass resided at Wings School for multiple years. He reported sustaining injuries from a physical restraint, which he claimed staff routinely employed and could be “brutal”. He also stated, “There were staff there that were really supportive, caring and wanted the best for you, but others that you had to stay away from… we were scared of them.” A June emergency Ofsted inspection documented that “some leaders and staff use restrictive physical intervention on pupils as a strategy for discipline and compliance, not solely when pupils or staff are at risk of harm”. The report concluded, “The school’s physical intervention practice is unsafe with pupils subject to excessive force and unsafe holds.” Mr. Douglass mentioned that despite the presence of positive rewards, restraints were frequently utilized as a form of punishment. He recounted a specific incident in which he stated he was involved in an altercation with a fellow student. “I was accused of making fun of his condition, which wasn’t true. This made me irate, but I wasn’t violent. “I was then restrained by a large man – bearing in mind I weighed eight stone at the time – who put my arms behind my back, lifted me off the floor and slammed me into the wall. “I was screaming ‘I can’t breathe’. It was so painful.” Kedleston Group chose not to comment on individual cases, but issued a statement: “In relation to physical intervention, it is our organisation-wide policy that this should only ever be used as a last resort and only to keep a child, or those around them, safe.” The group added: “Where concerns are raised, these are reported to all relevant authorities and fully investigated. “Should any issue be identified, positive and proactive action is taken.” A Freedom of Information request disclosed that Cumbria Police documented a total of 143 allegations, encompassing both physical and sexual abuse, at the school between January 2011 and August 2023. The police force clarified that these figures include reports made by pupils against other pupils and staff, as well as reports from staff alleging assault by pupils. Mr. Douglass, additionally, reported witnessing a staff member “bounce” the arm of a pupil, who was wearing a cast due to a prior injury, on a table. He stated, “They were in tears.” Ellis Robertson was identified as the pupil Mr. Douglass observed. Mr. Robertson recounted, “I had been mouthing off, but I wasn’t being aggressive, more like a typical gobby teenager.” He continued, “The staff member grabbed my arm, which was healing from a severe break, and slammed it on the table. “It was excruciating, I’ve never had pain like it. “Physical abuse in the form of ‘restraints’ was the staffs’ method of keeping control of us.” Mr. Robertson added, “Staff would tell us you were dirt and we would be nothing on the streets if we didn’t behave.” Harvey Benson, another pupil in care, asserted that “restraints were used just for the sake of it”. He commented, “The school fostered a culture where abuse went unchecked and the children’s voices were silent.” Mr. Benson described an instance when he was in detention and declined to work, an action he stated irritated the teacher. He recalled getting up to depart at the conclusion of the session. He stated, “The teacher came up behind, grabbed my shoulders and blazer and pulled us back into the classroom. I caught my wrist on the door.” He also reported that during a separate restraint, a staff member kneed him in the ribs and confined him within a classroom. Mr. Benson indicated that he now experiences post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to these events. All three former pupils confirmed witnessing numerous assaults on other young individuals. Mr. Benson alleged, “One morning, I saw one kid who was restrained on a chair. A staff member was telling another pupil to hit him.” A spokesperson for Wings School issued a statement: “At this time, and to our knowledge, no claim of misconduct relating to any member of staff has resulted in further action being taken by the authorities.” The spokesperson added, “The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a responsibility we take very seriously.” Kedleston Group affirmed its full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. Mr. Benson and Mr. Robertson stated that they frequently observed young people being confined in bedrooms and classrooms during Ofsted inspections. These inspections occurred before 2023. An Ofsted spokesperson commented: “It is very upsetting to hear allegations of abuse from pupils at Wings School. “Safeguarding is central to our inspections and we take it extremely seriously. “We will always take quick and decisive action when we uncover concerns on inspection, including suspending a setting’s registration where necessary.” Mr. Benson has initiated a petition advocating for the government to implement unannounced inspections by an independent body, install CCTV in communal areas, and equip staff with body cameras during restraints. He remarked, “I felt we that we were treated as troublemakers by the authorities,” and Mr. Robertson further stated, “not a single person listened to us.” Cumbria Police indicated that its “far-reaching” investigation is being managed by its major incident team, in close collaboration with several partner agencies. The force anticipated that it would “take some time to establish the facts”. A spokesperson commented: “At this point we can’t give any details about findings or specific allegations; our sole focus is ensuring any victims are being fully supported throughout this difficult time.”