Parents of children who were allegedly locked in a cupboard-like room at school are calling on the Department for Education (DfE) to take action.

They claim trustees at Brompton Westbrook Primary in Gillingham have failed to carry out their role effectively, have stalled investigations into what happened and refused to disclose the details of their own “independent investigation”.

The parents - who are speaking out after claiming to have suffered abuse online since the allegations came to light - are also calling on Medway Council to publish its report into the matter.

During a press conference today, a statement was made on behalf of parents Alison Lovett, Patricia Wilkins and Ruth and Rod Mills, which revealed the effect of the alleged ordeal on their children.

The statement, which was read out by parent Rod Mills, said: “In recent weeks we have all been subjected to insults and abuse on social media.

“We have been left with no alternative but to make this public statement as we are deeply frustrated and saddened by the lack of progress with regards to this investigation.

“We as parents have been affected by the allegations of misconduct made against staff at Brompton Westbrook Primary School, now under control of The Brompton Trust.

“We were shocked to be informed of allegations regarding the misuse of the schools isolation room.

“Over the last few months, we as families have undergone stressful times.

“Sadly our children have suffered mentally and emotionally over recent years. These allegations are historic and span a number of years.

“We are concerned about the possible long term effects this action will have on the children involved.

“The allegations were made by a whistleblower, and up until that point, the parents were not aware of any wrongdoing until their children were questioned by the authorities.

“As the investigation progressed, more facts have been revealed.

“It is now with regret that we find ourselves today in this unfortunate situation.

“We feel guilty that we did not spot the warning signs and blindly trusted the educationalists in whom we placed our faith and trust.

“The local education authority instigated a thorough, detailed and fully independent investigation which was conducted by their human resources department, a member of the safeguarding team and a head teacher from a different authority and as a result a report was written and recommendations were put forward.

“We have not seen or are privy to the contents of the report.

“But we have every confidence that the local authority carried out a thorough and fair investigation.

“The report has been passed to the trustees of Brompton Westbrook to act upon and take seriously the recommendations made.

“We feel the trustees have failed to carry out their role effectively.

“They have constantly stalled investigations and repeatedly refused to release information and the details from an independent investigation carried out on behalf of themselves that was requested by the Department for Education (DfE).

“We considered this school to be a good school.

“But under this current management its reputation earned by hard work and good teaching is going to be tarnished by trustees failing to take appropriate action and we feel hiding behind the protection their academy status now affords.

“We would also like it to be noted that the allegations relate to a period of time the school was under local authority control.

“We now ask for the full report written by the local education authority be released, with the children mentioned protected.

“We respectfully request the DfE to step in take the appropriate action and let this academy and all academies know they are not above the law and that academies will and must remain answerable for their actions.

“And finally we would urge people to comment on this issue and ask questions of those involved and whilst the use of social media is effective and powerful please refrain from slanderous attack on the individuals who’s lives have been adversely affected by this unacceptable and distressful situation.”

The parents were backed by the area’s ward councillor Cllr Andrew Mackness, who has previously demanded that the DfE take robust action.

The school has been at the centre of controversy over its isolation techniques and the DfE previously confirmed it would review an “independent investigation” which has apparently backed the policy of shutting unruly children away in a cupboard-sized room.

"Over the last few months, we as families have undergone stressful times. Sadly our children have suffered mentally and emotionally over recent years. These allegations are historic and span a number of years..." - Parents

Trustees at the school previously said they had full confidence in all staff at the school so they can continue their "outstanding" work and that it has used a variety of methods to get the best academic results for children.

A DfE spokesman said at the time: “We are reviewing the investigation into Brompton Westbrook commissioned by the academy trust.

“The school must now take appropriate action, and we are considering what steps to take next if they fail to do so.”

The spokesman said it was up to the Brompton Westbrook trustees to decide whether to publish the investigation's findings.

Earlier this year, Medway Council conducted its own probe but the matter was taken out of the council’s hands when the school became an academy.

A council spokesman said: “We undertook a safeguarding investigation with the police.

“Following this, the council carried out a further investigation into the practice at the school. When our officers visited the school, they were shown a small room the size of a cupboard of around 7ft by 4ft in size with a lock on its door.

“The door was removed that day under the supervision of Medway Council staff so the small room could not be locked again.

“Our investigation, which included taking numerous statements from teachers, pupils and parents past and present, concluded that there was a case of gross misconduct to be answered and four staff should be subject to a disciplinary hearing, which could result in dismissal.”

The four teachers at the centre of the investigation are Jane Heyes, executive head teacher, who is also a director of the Westbrook Trust; Sue Mason, acting head of the academy; Karen Price, special needs co-ordinator; and Jon Carthy, who had been assistant head at Westbrook, and is now acting head at Byron Primary.

A school spokesman added: “We are very fortunate to have some extremely experienced staff members who go above and beyond the call of duty to support pupils and their families and other schools.

"We are also very lucky that parents with children at Brompton Westbrook understand the need for us to use internal exclusion and other techniques.

“Parents are kept informed about the variety of methods used in seeking to get the best academic results for their children and the majority of them are supportive.

“Where parents have concerns, they are encouraged to talk to staff.

“We want to thank colleagues, friends of the school and other professionals for their overwhelming support throughout this period and for the unprecedented faith and support from parents who know that their children attend a very good school with outstanding leadership and where their children are nurtured and cared for to achieve their very best.”