Calls for independent inquiry into former Cumbrian school
Allegations have been raised around the treatment of pupils at Wings school in Milnthorpe.
Last updated 21st Jan 2025
A man who claims to have been abused at a former residential school in Cumbria is calling for more safe-guarding measures in care setting.
Allegation have been raised by former pupils at Wings School in Milnthorpe, sparking calls for an independent inquiry.
Harvey Benson attended the school from 2019, and claims he was the victim of unsafe practices, that he believes were abusive.
He said:
"It was nothing sort of traumatic. I was expecting to be cared for and supported.
"Instead, it was an environment where abuse, neglect and inappropriate behaviour was normalised.
"I experienced unprovoked floor restraint by a staff member and that was the first incident I reported."
After reporting incidents to his social workers and police, Harvey believes to little was done to address the issues he was experiencing at the school.
"I want to see accountability over why the abuse was allowed to continue over so many years.
"There needs to be a full review over why the school was allowed to operate despite repeated allegations.
"I want stronger safe guarding measures too, to ensure no child in residential care is subject to the same kind of abuse again.
"From what I experienced, there was a culture of protecting the schools reputation at all costs. They seemed more concerned with avoiding allegations than addressing them.
"There was a clear lack of accountability."
Kedleston Group, who ran the school until it closed said in a statement;
“The safety and well-being of children and young people is our absolute priority.
"Any concerns raised are always taken very seriously. They are reported to all relevant authorities and robustly investigated. Should any issue be identified, positive and proactive action is taken.”
An Ofsted spokesperson said:
"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. And we work closely with those lead agencies responsible for investigating concerns about children’s safety - as was the case with Wings School."