A prestigious college school has been criticised by ex-pupils for throwing out a whole library-worth of books.
Magdalen College School, Brackley, in Northamptonshire, is one of three associate schools of Oxford University.
The school, criticised in Ofsted‘s most recent report for ‘insufficient progress’, was recently placed in ‘special measures’ – and has now been accused of ditching all books in a skip.
Former pupil and ex-Reform UK candidate Oliver Lewis told of being horrified by conditions when visiting his old school to help out at an interviews day.
He recalled: ‘I walked into the VI Form Centre and my immediate reaction was, “Wow this feels spacious – where did all the books go?”‘
He described being told by a staff member: ‘Oh, we don’t need books anymore – everything’s online now.’
Mr Lewis said it transpired the ‘entire library had been chucked in a skip’.
He added: ‘The library was actually quite good and comprehensive – I’d donated many books to it in the past, for the economics, history and politics sections.
Magdalen College School, Brackley (pictured), in Northamptonshire, is one of three associate schools of Oxford University – but has been placed by Ofsted in special measures
Former pupil Oliver Lewis has criticised the school for throwing away all its library books
‘The idea “we don’t need books anymore” is for the fairies – certainly in my subjects for study at advanced level.
‘Can we imagine Magdalen College School Oxford or the Royal Latin School chucking all their books in a skip? It would be unthinkable.
‘What are high-achieving pupils expected to do when they arrive at, for example, the LSE – as I did from Magdalen – and have books thrown at them by the tonne?’
Mr Lewis, an academic specialising in ‘UK Public Policy Failure’, attended the school between 1998 and 2005.
He went on to describe one of Magdalen’s two sites as an ’embarrassing mess’ including ‘hedges uncut, trees unpollarded, brambles growing everywhere’.
The two other schools affiliated to Oxford University’s Magdalen College are Magdalen College School in Oxford and Wainfleet All Saints in Lincolnshire.
Mr Lewis has criticised the state of his old school as an indictment of failings in comprehensive education since reforms that began in the 1960s, including a crackdown on grammar schools.
The ex-pupil added: ‘I’m angry and entitled to be. This school has every single applicable condition to be an outstanding school. The fact it isn’t is a disgrace and it needs calling out as such.
Mr Lewis, an academic specialising in ‘UK Public Policy Failure’, attended the school between 1998 and 2005
‘I can’t pin the blame for comprehensive education on MCS Brackley but shameful acts like chucking the VI Form library in a skip is on them.’
Magdalen College School, Brackley, which was originally established in 1548, was a grammar school before forming a new comprehensive school in 1973 after merging with two other schools nearby – before taking on academy status 40 years later.
Mr Lewis told the Daily Mail: ‘The issues around this school have been a long time brewing.
‘If a school like Magdalen, with sponsorship from an Oxford college which makes it unique as a state school in the UK, can’t make comprehensive education work, what hope for the rest?’
Former pupils include Asda chairman and former Royal Mail non-executive chairman Allan Leighton and the Right Reverend Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield.
The school in Northamptonshire was first put into special measures in June last year following a critical Ofsted inspection and demands for improvements.
And after a follow-up check Ofsted inspector Jayne Ashman wrote last October, in a letter shared on the school’s website, it should remain in special measures.
She told how leaders had ‘made insufficient progress to improve the school’ and ‘strongly’ recommended it should not appoint teachers early in their careers.
The ruling came despite a turnover of staff since the previous inspection, including 17 employees leaving and 13 joining.
Pictured is Oxford University’s Magdalen College – associated schools are Magdalen College School, Brackley, Magdalen College School in Oxford and Wainfleet All Saints in Lincolnshire
A new visitor-management system was installed across school sites and staff were said to be ‘more aware of which students are on or off site at any given time’ – but Ms Ashman said safeguarding arrangements were ‘still not effective’.
She added: ‘Staff do not have accurate information about pupils’ starting points, learning gaps or the ambitious curriculum end points that they can achieve.
‘As a result, pupils’ learning needs are not successfully addressed. This has led to significant underachievement and is an issue that must be addressed at pace.’
The previous report last June, following an inspection visit two months earlier, said the school had ‘failed to provide pupils with an acceptable standard of education’.
The report added: ‘Staff do not have high enough expectations of what pupils can achieve or how they should behave.’
The Daily Mail has approached Magdalen College School in Brackley for comment and was told the headmaster was not available but could respond later.
The school previously said in a statement following Ofsted’s ruling in June last year: ‘We fully accept Ofsted’s findings and understand the seriousness of the issues raised.
‘While this is a disappointing outcome for our school community, it is also an opportunity for deep reflection and renewed focus.
‘Our students deserve the very best, and we are absolutely committed to transforming the school and delivering the high-quality education every child deserves.’
