AN emotive Cornwall Council meeting has heard that pupils are being “suppressed, oppressed and crushed” at local multi-academy trust schools (MATs).

Councillors discussed a motion suggesting that an advisory group is set up to consider the “matter of mental, emotional health and wellbeing in our schools”, the results of which would be sent to the Secretary of State for Education.

The move, instigated by Camborne councillor James Ball, followed concerns raised by Cornish families about the effects of behaviour polices in schools run by the Athena Learning Trust, particularly Launceston College, Camborne Science and International Academy (CSIA) and Pool Academy.

Earlier on in the meeting, a number of questions about the trust were asked by concerned parents.

Cllr Hilary Frank, the cabinet member for education, responded: “I really recognise that many families are deeply worried about children’s emotional wellbeing and I understand why parents want answers.

“Looking properly at trends in children’s mental health is really important. We are seeing increasing levels of anxiety, emotionally-based school avoidance and wider emotional wellbeing challenges among young people and children locally but also nationally.”

She added that the council has no power to intervene in the way MATs are run, explaining that such decisions sit with the Secretary of State for Education and the Department for Education.

Cllr Franks highlighted that “reforms” are being introduced for trusts to strengthen accountability and local engagement. She welcomed the formation of an advisory group in the Duchy.

Cllr Ball said he proposed the motion after being contacted by hundreds of parents concerned about their children in Cornish schools.

He gave examples of how some young people are being treated, saying that pupils are sent out of lessons for ‘reflection’ – “removal of education” – for looking out of windows during lessons or if their pens run out.

“Young girls have to put their hands up and announce to the teacher and the class that they have just come on their period. This is so damaging to young people’s mental health.

“I’ve had a young man approach me – he had dyslexia. He explained to me that he got the number of a classroom confused so he was late to the classroom he was due at. He was sent to ‘reflection’.

“Schools are meant to be the best years of your life. Our young people in 10 and 20 years time will not be able to say that.”

Cllr Adrian Parsons, who seconded the motion, added: “Suppression, oppression and being crushed are words I now hear too frequently from parents whose children attend multi-academy trusts in Cornwall.

“It’s hard to believe in some settings this is how we are delivering secondary education in the 21st century. It is clear that something is fundamentally wrong with the system.”

He said it has been “deeply sobering” hearing individual stories after being approached by numerous parents. “It very much feels that our SEND children are bearing the brunt of these disciplinarian regimes.

“We hear of thousands of suspensions, children being removed from lessons and placed in ‘reflection’ rooms for hours on end. We hear of increasing numbers of children who can no longer cope and are leaving to be home schooled. Never before have I known so many being educated at home, not out of choice but because parents feel they have no alternative.

“I cannot help but feel that we are now facing a profound crisis in our education system.”

Cllr Parsons said there appeared to be an overriding drive for results at any cost, “sometimes at the cost of those who don’t quite fit the mould”.

He added: “For too long, I feel, many have known what has been going on, but it has been too easy to say that it is not our problem and that academies are not accountable to us. I’m afraid we’ve reached the point where that simply isn’t good enough.

“As a local authority, it is time we stand up and take the lead, ensuring proper scrutiny is carried out on the impact that behaviour policies are having on the mental health and wellbeing of our children.”

A number of councillors spoke in support of the motion, including Cllr Rowland O’Connor who said he spoke on behalf of families across Cornwall who feel “exhausted, frightened, unheard and, in some cases, broken”.

He said his family knew exactly how that felt. His daughter attended Launceston College and he has previously spoken about how she was “absolutely terrified” to go into school.

The motion was passed with just one councillor, Dulcie Tudor – who also works as a counsellor – voting against.

She said there was “no evidence” that firm behaviour policies in themselves are the primary cause for poor mental health and that clear boundaries and routines provide children with security and resilience.

“Suspension and exclusion figures are more likely to reflect wider social behavioural attendance challenges rather than disciplinary systems being inherently harmful.”