1.How many complaints have been received about Magdalen Court School in the following years?
2018 0
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 2
2. Who were the complaints from?
We consider this information is exempt under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act (Personal Data).
Devon County Council (DCC) are not obliged to provide information that is the personal information of another person if releasing it would contravene any of the provisions in the Data Protection Act 2018. In this instance release of this information would contravene the first data protection principle and therefore Section 40(2) is applied.
3. What were the nature of the complaints?
Both complaints related to Safeguarding and Provision around Special Educational Needs and teaching delivery
4. The council recently became involved in the running of the school, were there any safeguarding concerns that led to this decision, if so, what were they?
Magdalene Court is an independent school and usually DCC is not involved in the running of it, but commissions places. However, when we identified issues in relation to site security, recruitment, training and attendance records we met with the directors and said we wanted the leadership to be strengthened. We also carried out safeguarding audits.
5. When did the council become involved?
The Local Authority commissions places from independent schools for learners with Education Health and Care Plans and is therefore continually involved with the school. We became specifically involved in January/February 2022 following concerns that were raised.
6. What is the precise nature of that involvement?
The local authority is the commissioner of places from the school. We liaised with the school directors in relation to them commissioning the special partnership trust (SPT) to lead the school.
7. How long is the council planning to be involved in the running of the school?
The council is not involved in running the school, but we have put in place a team around the school meetings once a week while the SPT is making improvements.
8. How many council staff are now involved in the running of the school?
Council staff are not involved in running the school
9. What is the daily cost of their involvement?
Not applicable
10. The council has written several group parent letters since becoming involved, how many letters were sent and when were they sent?
DCC has written 2 letters sent in February and March 2022
11. Please supply copies of all group parent letters sent.
Please refer to this Magdalen Court Update Letters document.
You will notice redacted information within this document. We consider this information is exempt under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act (Personal Data).
Devon County Council (DCC) are not obliged to provide information that is the personal information of another person if releasing it would contravene any of the provisions in the Data Protection Act 2018. In this instance release of this information would contravene the first data protection principle and therefore Section 40(2) is applied.
12. A new head teacher was installed earlier in 2022, did the council have any involvement in this decision?
No
13. If so what was that involvement?
Not applicable
14. Have any current or recent (i.e employed up to Jan 2022) members of staff at the school been under police investigation for concerns about behaviour relating to their position at the school? If so what is the nature of the concern?
We consider this information is exempt under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act (Personal Data).
Devon County Council are not obliged to provide information that is the personal information of another person if releasing it would contravene any of the provisions in the Data Protection Act 2018. In this instance release of this information would contravene the first data protection principle and therefore Section 40(2) is applied.