38 pupils were subjected to physical and psychological abuse while placed in so‑called “calming rooms” at the school between 2014 and 2017, reports Marco Marcelline
A long awaited safeguarding review into historic abuse at Whitefield School in Walthamstow has been delayed again with the Waltham Forest Safeguarding Children Board now aiming for an “end of summer term” release.
The Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR), commissioned in August 2024, was legally expected to be completed within six months.
But emails shared with the Echo confirm that the original timeline for the review was extended in agreement with the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted to ensure a “comprehensive examination of both current and historical matters and to ensure meaningful engagement with families”.
The most recent publication date for the review had been early March 2026. However, the Echo understands the review was pushed back again due to a need for additional specialist knowledge of SEND settings.
It is unclear why this specific need had not been identified or addressed earlier.
38 pupils were subjected to physical and psychological abuse while placed in so‑called “calming rooms” at the school between 2014 and 2017.
The calming rooms were closed in 2017 following an Ofsted inspection, and allegations first emerged publicly in 2021 when secret CCTV footage was discovered by new leadership at the school.
A BBC investigation into the abuse revealed that pupils were left alone in the window‑less calming rooms for up to four hours at a time, sitting in urine, and were eating crumbs off the floor.
The footage also shows children, many of whom were non‑verbal, kicked and hit with force by staff.
No‑one who worked at the school during the abuse has been prosecuted or arrested. Six staff were proven to have abused children but were not sacked, and at least one referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) was recommended but not made.
The DfE did not respond to repeated requests for comment about the delay.
The Echo also understands that 26 Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) referrals relating to Whitefield staff were made between 2016 and 2021.
These referrals were not all linked to the use of the calming rooms. LADO referrals regard the formal reporting of concerns about an adult working with children who may have harmed a child.
However, the town hall was unable to provide any data of referrals made between 2014 and 2016 due to the way reports were recorded at the time. This is despite abuse taking place in this period.
The lack of a review has fuelled growing frustration among families whose children were affected.
Parents previously spoke to the Echo about their anger that no staff had been arrested despite the existence of footage that showed physical and mental abuse taking place in the calming rooms.
Ricardo Gloria’s son David was abused in the calming rooms a number of times between 2013 and March 2015.
CCTV footage revealed that his son was left to urinate twice on the floor, and was refused water. It also showed three members of staff restraining David by putting their knees on his neck as he was lying on the floor.
Speaking this month, Ricardo said: “I feel let down by several parties in this investigation. Whitefield School took too long to protect vulnerable children, and the local authority has shown a lack of accountability.
“The extended delays have been frustrating and have hindered justice for the children who suffered unfair treatment at Whitefield School over the years. To be honest, I have little hope for a positive outcome from the review, but I sincerely hope to be proven wrong. It is crucial that some form of justice and a rehabilitation plan are established for the victims and their families.”
A spokesperson for the Waltham Forest Safeguarding Children Board said: “The Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR) into historic incidents at Whitefield School was commissioned by the safeguarding board, which includes council officers as well as representatives from the NHS and the police.
“The decision to undertake the review was made in August 2024 and the partners felt it was essential to take time to properly scope how it should be approached, given its complexity and the timeframe it covers. This is not a typical review, and as such it requires a more considered, phased approach.
“The board has therefore appointed someone with in-depth knowledge of SEND settings to help finalise the review. This will help achieve the partnership’s goal of ensuring the lessons of the case are properly identified and taken on board to support best practice.
“The partnership expects to publish the final report toward the end of the summer term. We are grateful for the time, energy, and emotional commitment already given by those who have shared their experiences and perspectives.”
Read more: ‘I want justice for my son’: Parents of pupils abused at Walthamstow school decry lack of arrests
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