Complaint
The programme included a report on concerns arising out of the sale by Legra Academy Trust of a site belonging to Cecil Jones Academy, one of the two schools in the area for which the Trust was responsible. Bulletins during the programme included versions of the story, and there was a related online article ("Cecil Jones Academy: Legra Trust criticised"). The Trust complained that these reports were misleading and unfair.
Outcome
Before the date of the broadcast it had been announced that Cecil Jones Academy was to be taken over by another trust with a proven track record of leading challenging schools. Against that background it had been alleged that Legra had diverted the proceeds of the sale either to its other, more successful school or into its own funds, and those allegations were reflected in the broadcast reports (the online article confining itself to saying "Questions had been raised over where the sale proceeds had gone"). The reports also reflected Legra’s statement that the proceeds had been spent entirely on improvements to Cecil Jones Academy, but the programme-makers had failed to take account of evidence offered by Legra which, if properly considered, would have demonstrated that allegations to the contrary were unfounded. It was consequently misleading to listeners and unfair to Legra to give those allegations further currency.
Upheld
Further action
A statement of correction and apology was broadcast three times in the 9 April 2019 edition of the programme. The editorial team has been made aware of the serious failures in editorial standards and will be receiving further training.