Several parents from West Twyford Primary School near Acton claim their complaints have fallen on deaf ears as concerns over safeguarding and transparency at the school continue. 

One child with special educational needs allegedly "escaped" West Twyford on three separate occasions during school hours.  

A third parent accused the senior leadership of having "no control over safeguarding" at the school. 

Of the parents who spoke to Ealing Nub News, all believe their concerns are not taken seriously enough or dealt with the school and its governors, with some examples highlighted in this article. 

The parents' identities are not included as they asked to remain anonymous, therefore will be referred to as 'Parent One-Five' for the purpose of this piece. 

Child escaped school on "three separate occasions"  

Parent One's claims that West Twyford has "never apologised" for the three separate occasions in which her seven-year-old child with special educational needs "escaped" school.  

On the first occasion, the parent explains that her child managed to leave the school during break time after it told her that their "one to one got hit by a ball so she was distracted." 

On another occasion, Parent One says her child left the school and made it all way to their home. CCTV footage shared with Nub News shows a then six-year-old child entering the front entrance of the block of flats where they live after a neighbour left the building door open.   

"He could have been hit by a car, kidnapped. He crossed multiple roads by himself," admits Parent One.

"Unless I tell them to do something about it nothing gets done"  

Parent Two alleges that her seven-year-old son has "been bitten twice", assaulted and is "targeted" by other pupils so much that they have not been able to go to school for the past two months out of "fear" of being bullied. 

Parent Two feels at present the senior leadership "has not control" over safeguarding at the school and all they want is their child to be safe. 

Parent Two continues: "We only want our kids to be safe. Do you think parents want to have problems and be complaining? Going back and forth with the school? That's not what we want." 

Lack of safeguarding and transparency  

Multiple parents who spoke to Nub News also raised worries over West Twyford's lack of safeguarding during and after school hours.  

The parents say that on different occasions they have seen school gates being "left opened" more than an hour after school had finished with no member of staff present at the gates.  

During one break time, Parent Three, another mum, says her child was pushed and scratched causing them to bleed so they attempted to have a meeting with the school after the accident, but claim West Twyford told them to book an appointment as "it was not an emergency." 

Another mother, Parent Four, feels the school treats every issue they have "lightly". 

Parent Four claims her child in Year 4 has been repeatedly attacked by classmates in the playground and in one instance "strangled". 

She says: "The school do not care and things are happening every single day. It's bad an out of control to be honest." 

They, and other parents who spoke to Nub News, also cite examples where apparently the school refuse to give a formal letter or email regarding the outcome of "investigations", possibly to avoid accountability. 

"They (other pupils) strangled him and he said 'mummy I couldn't breathe' and he was panicking.  

"The headteacher does not know how to deal with parents and with kids...He's very cold and will never say sorry," Parent Four adds. 

The mother has complained to the school and has been forced to move her other child elsewhere despite living across the road from West Twyford due to her child's safety concerns.   

Similarly, another mother, Parent Five, is considering moving her child from West Twyford Primary and selling her Ealing home because of the school's "environment". 

Having recently moved from North London to Ealing to settle into her new home, Parent five says despite the latest Ofsted report grading the school 'Good', she failed to consider the school's culture. 

Parent Five explains: "When we came here (West Twyford Primary School) it was a completely different story (in contrast to her child's previous school).  

"Almost like a jungle. There is lack of supervision especially during break times, there is intimidation from other children and bullying." 

The mother continues: "When it was raining, and they had wet play indoors, there was no supervision and my son described it as a 'fight club'.  

"He said 'you are witnessing a fight club' where everyone is fighting and there is no teachers or intervention.'" 

Although Parent Five admits that the school would deal with students misbehaving, she claims measures would "only last for a week" as it occurs again. 

Asked if she complained to the school governors about her worries, Parent Five says no as other parents suggested "there was no point". 

She adds: "I want better supervision during break times to make sure that the children are safe and when there are any incidents, that it is taken seriously and that there are consequences for these children, rather than just a suspension from break times." 

An image of the school's second gates back in February taken at 3:55pm (credit: Image supplied).

Formal Complaint 

The parents confirm they have already made a formal group complaint to the school governors but feel it did not fully address their issues with West Twyford Primary. 

When asked if it received any complaints against the school, an Ofsted spokesperson said: "I'm afraid we don't confirm if we've received complaints about an individual school, but we take all complaints received seriously and carefully consider if any action is required." 

An Ealing Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the concerns raised with Ealing Nub News by a small number of parents and carers.  

 "We are satisfied that these matters have been investigated and managed appropriately by the school and the board of Governors.  

"In some cases, concerns raised with Ealing Nub News haven't been raised with the school and we would encourage parents and carers to engage with the school directly to discuss any concerns.  

"West Twyford Primary School's absolute priority is the children's wellbeing, and the school takes any concerns or complaints very seriously.  

"Everyone works incredibly hard to deliver the school's vision, creating an environment where children enjoy learning, and can achieve high academic standards.  

"The school supports all children to flourish, with a strong focus on respect, politeness and kindness. 

"A recent Ofsted inspection highlighted that safeguarding is effective at the school."

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