I have been working with the Head Teacher of Ampleforth College, Robin Dyer and the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, to try to find a solution following regulatory action taken by the Department of Education preventing the school from accepting new pupils because of concerns over standards of safeguarding and leadership. Ampleforth is now going through the official complaints process and I’m meeting Mr Williamson this week to make sure they get a fair hearing. Of course safeguarding issues must be taken very seriously, but after two positive inspections this year by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, I fully support the school’s right of appeal and for due process to be followed to give them every chance of challenging these findings and reversing this decision.
