‘Monks of concern’: Why are there still students at Ampleforth?

[Onezee]

If school leaders can’t prevent ‘monks of concern’ being admitted to the Ampleforth Abbey site, then there surely can’t be any other option than to shut it down?

('Monks of concern would include those who have been accused, and any found guilty of, child sexual abuse in the past and any who are under investigation currently.' www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10620321/Ampleforth-College-rated-inadequate-Ofsted-failures-Catholic-boarding-school.html).

Can the DfE deregister the school? Or are the unsafe children who currently attend the school reliant on market forces to shut it down?

@prh47bridge

Not sure why you are pointing that at me. I am not saying Ofsted have got it wrong, simply signposting where people can find out more following ClariceQuiff's post. However, in one respect I believe Ofsted are wrong in that they say "monks of concern" includes monks convicted of child sex abuse. I believe the school is correct in saying that any monk convicted of such an offence ceases to be a monk.

“… any monk convicted of such an offence ceases to be a monk.”

Convicted = taken out of the dioceses’ control.

Unlike the planned movement of ‘of interest to the diocese’ priests / monks.

I’m afraid I do not trust such organisations to effectively police, or indeed, hand over their own.

It all pivots on one word.

A little late to the party on this one. My whole family went to Ampleforth including my DS. There is a reason which if you don't visit or know a teacher or fellow parent you won't fully understand. Remember that abuse happens at EVERY school no exceptions. Think Eton, Harrow, Stowe (especially) and reading press reports and making a judgement does a disservice to the kind and wonderful people at Ampleforth. There was an OFSTED campaign which has proved to be bigoted. And the school should survive and will do. If your school where your children go had historical abuse from 30 years ago would you take them away. Are you sure in your heart, this isn't because you don't feel comfortable with Catholics? My son is the warmest, funniest person with a drive to succeed and loved his time there. He doesn't take drugs and drinks little. I am delighted he attended a place where housemasters and staff lived and cared for our child as much as all others. Please open your mind away from press and media

I disagree.

My father went to Ampleforth. He was completely fucked up by the school, he was a domestic abuser, a possible sexual abuser and an alcoholic, dying young.

How dare you accuse victims of lying and pretend that criticism is anti Catholic. Though personally I will not forgive a church that allowed abuse to happen.

Be specific please, with clear examples of current situation ... or is your comment attached to wider emotional prejudice? Again, meet any parent and you won't find anything other than resounding support. You might not know this but the OFSTED reports and campaign will be shown to be from a prejudice and unfair perspective

Sorry to hear that. It must have been very difficult. What I am trying to say is that reputational damage here is not proportional. It now makes the school responsible for "all sins" and problems and that is not accurate especially as I know over 3 generations attending. There are many, many schools if not all, who have had pupils with similar issues but many pupils also who go forth to have successful and balanced alumni and equally those who have pupils who don't. It is all too easy to blame genetics and run with the media pack. This is an unfair assessment which needs to be rebalanced