Sports club cuts ties with head of Wirral school investigated by BBC

A Merseyside sports club has cut ties with the head of a Wirral school at the center of a BBC investigation.

The Panorama documentary Undercover School: Cruelty in the Classroom was broadcast on BBC1 on Monday night. In the documentary, BBC reporter Sasha Hinde went undercover at Life Wirral, an independent secondary school in Wallasey, for seven weeks.

Ms Hinde posed as a student with work experience at the school, working with the sports staff. Staff members were recorded making cruel and offensive remarks about students or appearing to pick on them. In some cases, they are presented by addressing students directly using homophobic and ableist language.

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Footage was also shown of Alastair Saverimutto, CEO at Life Wirral, which appeared to show him telling an undercover reporter he had used a police-style restraint on a child.

In a statement sent to the BBC, Mr Saverimutto said he “does not condone the behavior revealed by the program and five members of staff have been suspended”.

Now a Merseyside rugby club with which Mr Saverimutto – a former professional rugby player – was associated has announced it has cut all ties with him following the investigation.

New Brighton Rugby Club said it was “disgusted by the content of the programme’s findings” and said it did not represent the club’s values.

A statement said: “The documentary duly highlighted significant safeguarding failings within the school. We want to reassure our members, players and the wider community that our highest priority remains the well-being, confidence and development of our players and the integrity of our new ones. Brighton Rugby Club.

“We are dedicated to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all our members. Rugby is a fantastic sport that not only promotes fitness but also teaches valuable life skills of teamwork, respect, fun, discipline and sportsmanship. It has the unique ability to bring people together, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie that extends beyond the field.

“The friendships and bonds created through rugby often last a lifetime, and the sport itself instills a spirit of perseverance and sportsmanship that benefits players in all aspects of their lives.”

The statement added: “In response to the revelations identified in the documentary, the General Committee of New Brighton FC (RU) has severed all association with Alastair Saverimutto, CEO of Life Wirral, with immediate effect.
This decision is in the best interest of our club members to ensure the continued safety and well-being of all involved.”

In an initial statement in response to the BBC programme, LIFE Wirral hit out at the corporation, accusing it of acting in a “grossly irresponsible way” and “putting the interests of a television program ahead of the interests of vulnerable children”.

The school accused the undercover reporter of “failing her basic safeguarding duties to report significant concerns”, claiming her actions put more vulnerable children at risk for longer. The BBC has been contacted for a response to the school’s claims.

Life Wirral has backed the claims but has since added to its original statement to apologize to any students and families affected by the behavior of staff highlighted in the Panorama programme.

A spokesman said: “LIFE Wirral does not condone the behavior of a small proportion of staff whose actions were broadcast on last night’s BBC Panorama programme. We are deeply concerned for our students and their families and would like to apologize to everyone affected.”

Responding, the corporation said: “The BBC takes safeguarding and protecting vulnerable people extremely seriously and has strict editorial guidelines covering undercover investigations, secret recordings and investigations involving children.