Report of a Private Independent Inquiry into Discipline Policy & Application at St Vedast and St James Schools during their formative years since 1975

Why an Inquiry?

In February 2004, the Governors were made aware of a series of allegations relating to the application of discipline by teachers during the early phase of the development of the St Vedast and St James schools in the 1970s and 80s.

At the time, in common with many other English independent or public schools, corporal punishment was an aspect of discipline policy. Many of the complaints related to either excessive use of this form of punishment, or inappropriate application of discipline in general. However, during the formative years, the Governing Body had received only one serious complaint about discipline policy.  The Governing Body therefore wanted to establish the truth of those allegations, which related to a period up to 30 years ago, as the first step in a process which they hoped would lead to reconciliation with those former pupils who were now complaining.