The Governing Body welcomes the following statement by Mr Donald Lambie, leader and senior tutor of the School of Economic Science, on the issues surrounding the Townend Inquiry. He has taken a serious interest in the welfare of the SoES teachers, past pupils and former parents involved in the Inquiry process, and we welcome his support for the reconciliation meetings which are under way.

Statement by Donald Lambie, leader and senior tutor of the School of Economic Science.

Since the publication of the report by Mr James Townend QC earlier this year, I have spoken with various former pupils of St James and St Vedast and also with teachers, governors, parents and other relatives of pupils. As a result of those conversations I feel it is important to express my thoughts, not least because my predecessor, Leon MacLaren, was so instrumental in originally setting up the schools.

First and foremost, I am extremely sorry that there was any mistreatment of children in the early years at St James and St Vedast and that this caused unhappiness and distress to a number of former pupils. I apologise for any part played by the School of Economic Science in that.

In founding St James and St Vedast, Leon MacLaren had in mind the best possible principles for the care and education of all the children attending them. Those principles did not include or condone the mistreatment of children and plainly it is wrong that any such thing occurred.

Since they were established, the schools have helped to educate many fine young men and women, and the original vision has been supported by a great deal of dedicated work and generosity. As independent assessments confirm, all the St James Schools are happy and vibrant and doing an excellent job. Everyone concerned remains totally committed to helping all pupils to develop in the best possible way. I therefore reiterate that I am deeply sorry that in the early years of the schools there was any mistreatment of pupils. I hope that the process of reconciliation that has been started will be of help in this situation. I will assist with that in any way that is practically possible.

24.05.06