Official statement from Mark Keary, Principal

We are all shocked and deeply saddened by the news that three of our students have been reported missing from home, they boarded a flight to Istanbul from Gatwick Airport last week, and our thoughts are with the families of the missing girls at this time.

This situation follows an earlier disappearance of a student in December of last year. The police spoke to that student’s friends at the time and further to this, they indicated that there was no evidence that the girls were at risk of being radicalised or absconding. The police have also confirmed that the families of the missing girls were unaware of their plans to leave the country.

We are fully supporting the police with their investigations. And as you know, today is the first day back following the half term holiday, so there is a full programme of briefing sessions and support available for our students, parents and staff.

Following the public announcement by the police on Friday, we briefed staff, governors and the Trust by email that same afternoon and parents received a letter on Saturday. Police have now spoken to staff at briefings this morning and individual year group assemblies have taken place with all professional support agencies that are available. There is a support team on site from these different agencies and students and staff will be able to speak to these colleagues, as required. There is also an opportunity for any concerned academy parents or carers to talk to senior staff members in person. Representatives from the police and Tower Hamlets’ Prevent team will also be in attendance.

We would like to reiterate the police appeal: If anyone has any further information whatsoever, please call the confidential police hotline on 0800 789 321.

At Mulberry Academy Shoreditch, we are extremely proud of the exceptional learning experience we provide to our students. A core aspect of our ethos is to promote the British values of democracy, tolerance and respect. Particularly respect, for other cultures and this is taught through a wide variety of curriculum topics and learning programmes. We also operate an outstanding system of pastoral care and personal support, which aims to ensure that all students are comfortable addressing any issues or concerns to members of staff. Access to social media networks at the academy is also strictly regulated. Students are unable to access Twitter or Facebook on academy computers. With such measures in place, police have advised us that there is no evidence that radicalisation of the missing students took place at the academy.

From the increasing number of similar news reports around the world, it is clear that this is an international issue which is increasing in severity and it’s affecting schools across the country and beyond. We are constantly reviewing our safeguarding procedures.

The police have asked us to make no further statements at this time as this is a live investigation and the priority is for the safe return of the girls. It is imperative, however, that our students are allowed to carry on learning in the safe environment they call school, particularly our students who are preparing for their upcoming GCSE and A level examinations. Our priority is to provide a ‘business as usual’ approach for our 1,200 students and staff; their safety and wellbeing are of paramount importance.

On behalf of the Trust, all staff and governors at Mulberry Academy Shoreditch, I would like to say once again that our thoughts are with the families of the missing girls as we await news and hope for their safe return to their homes and families.