Child Q: Hackney mayor calls on school’s headteacher to quit and says there have been ‘more troubling reports’

A safeguarding report said the search of Child Q, a student at a Hackney, east London, secondary school, by two female officers in December 2020, was unjustified and that racism was “likely” a factor in her treatment.
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The mayor of Hackney has called on the headteacher of a school where a 15-year-old black pupil was strip-searched by police while on her period to quit their role.

And Philip Glanville has claimed he has been told of “more troubling reports from staff, families and young people” at the teen’s school.

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The report found racism was “likely” a factor in Child Q’s treatment.

Hackney councillors including Cllr Mete Coban, sixth from right, and Mayor of Hackney Philip Glanville, centre, unveil new Stoke Newington LTN. Credit: Mete CobanHackney councillors including Cllr Mete Coban, sixth from right, and Mayor of Hackney Philip Glanville, centre, unveil new Stoke Newington LTN. Credit: Mete Coban
Hackney councillors including Cllr Mete Coban, sixth from right, and Mayor of Hackney Philip Glanville, centre, unveil new Stoke Newington LTN. Credit: Mete Coban

Officers responsible have been placed on desk duties, the Met Police have confirmed.

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While London mayor Sadiq Khan has urged the regulator to look into gross misconduct cases.

Now the mayor of Hackney Mr Glanville says he and deputy mayor Anntoinette Bramble are publicly calling for the school’s headteacher to step down, saying there have been “more troubling reports” about the situation.

Child Q protest. Credit: LWChild Q protest. Credit: LW
Child Q protest. Credit: LW

The Labour mayor posted on Twitter on Tuesday, March 22: “An update on Child Q.

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“Anntoinette Bramble and I have been in contact with the school that Child Q attended, seeking assurance on the actions that have been taken in response to this horrific incident, and on future work to rebuild trust with students, parents, & the wider community.

Police at the Child Q protest in Hackney. Photo: LWPolice at the Child Q protest in Hackney. Photo: LW
Police at the Child Q protest in Hackney. Photo: LW

“Since then we’ve sadly only heard more troubling reports from staff, families and young people disturbed about the situation and eager for change.

“We don’t say this lightly, but we feel we’ve no choice but to express our lack of confidence in the current leadership of the school… to ask that the headteacher should stand down and allow that school and its community the new start it needs to heal from this traumatic experience and by doing so also fully recognise the traumatic impact on Child Q and her family.”

Ms Bramble, a Labour councillor for London Fields, added: “An update on Child Q.

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“Philip Glanville and I have been in contact with the school asking for reassurance on actions taken regarding the awful experience Child Q went through.

“We have heard the concerns from young people, parents and staff and the need for change.

“We had no other choice but to ask that the headteacher step down from the school, for the community to begin to heal from this awful experience and try to move forward.

“Thoughts are with Child Q, her family and friends and all who are triggered by this horrific act.”

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The Met Police held a community meeting via Microsoft Teams last night(Wednesday, March 23) to take questions and discuss the Child Q incident.

The school has been approached by LondonWorld for comment.

Any response will be included without identifying the school in question.