London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Mar 26, 2026

MPs want inquiry into Ashford school after attack on black schoolgirl

MPs want inquiry into Ashford school after attack on black schoolgirl

MPs have demanded a school is investigated after a black pupil was injured in what police described as a serious racially-aggravated assault.

Distressing footage shared widely online showed the girl being punched, kicked and having her hair pulled.

It led to protests outside Thomas Knyvett College in Ashford by people concerned the school did not do enough to help her.

Head teacher Richard Beeson said "all necessary steps" were being taken.

The attack spilled into the road where the victim was set upon by a group of children as bystanders looked on.

Among the high profile names putting the spotlight on the school was British rapper Dave, who tweeted to his 866,000 followers that action should be taken against any staff members who didn't protect the girl.

MP Janet Daby said she lost sleep after watching the footage, which prompted a protest outside the school attended by dozens of people.

The Labour MP for Lewisham East is one of a number of MPs to have signed a letter to the home secretary condemning the attack and Surrey Police's description of it as "a fight" between girls.



In the letter, the MPs said: "Given that this attack is potentially racially motivated, the description of this incident by Surrey Police as a 'fight between a group of girls' wrongly misrepresents the seriousness of the incident and the impact such language may have on the black community.

"We therefore ask what discussions [the Home Office] has had with Surrey Police regarding this description and that this is corrected as a matter of urgency."

Surrey Police has been approached by the BBC for a response to the MPs' letter.

Speaking in parliament, Ms Daby asked that the Department for Education "look into what practices are not and are taking place in that school regarding safeguarding, and also address the professional performance of the school teachers".

In response, Penny Mordaunt, leader of the House of Commons, said: "It is being investigated, and of course, those investigations are separate from government. Quite rightly so.

"I will write... to raise her concerns, to the secretary of state."


'Serious safeguarding questions'


In a statement shared on Twitter, the school's head teacher, Richard Beeson, said: "We can assure you that we are taking all necessary steps to ensure this isolated incident is dealt with and that student safety is our paramount concern."

The BBC has approached the school for comment.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Race Equality in Education tweeted: "We believe there are still some very serious safeguarding questions for the school to answer."

Surrey Police officers were called to the junction of Salcombe Road and Stanwell Road in Ashford at 14:30 GMT on Monday.

Officers earlier described the incident outside Thomas Knyvett College as "distressing" and asked people not to share videos of it on social media.

A 39-year-old woman, a 16-year-old girl and two 11-year-old girls were arrested on suspicion of attempted racially aggravated grievous bodily harm (GBH).

A 43-year-old man and the 39-year-old woman were also arrested on suspicion of child neglect and intentionally encouraging and assisting the commission of an indictable only offence.

The 16-year-old girl was also arrested on suspicion of malicious communications.

Surrey Police said all those arrested have been released on bail until a date in March.

Ch Insp Dallas McDermott said: "We know this will be concerning and upsetting for the victims, their friends and family, and for the wider community who are understandably shocked and outraged at the violence in this video.

"I want to make clear that the suspects being bailed does not mean justice won't be pursued further or achieved."

A sixth suspect, a 15-year-old girl, is being urged to hand herself in.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Government Rejects Cover-Up Claims After Theft of Former PM Aide’s Phone
Cyprus Opens Strategic Talks with UK Over Sovereign Base Areas
UK Faces Risk of Sharp Inflation Surge Despite Stable Pre-Crisis Figures
UK Police Arrest Two Over Suspected Antisemitic Arson as Iran Link Investigated
UK Inflation Holds at Three Percent Ahead of Oil Price Shock from Iran Conflict
UK Fuel Prices Face Upward Pressure as Global Oil Trends Raise Cost Outlook
Girlguiding UK Sets September Deadline for Membership Policy Change Affecting Trans Participants
Germany and UK Accelerate Wind Power Expansion to Strengthen Energy Security
UK Moves to Ban Cryptocurrency Donations to Political Parties Over Foreign Influence Concerns
UK and Turkey Finalise Major Air Defence Agreement Worth Billions
Apple Introduces Mandatory Age Verification for iPhone Users in the UK
Diverging Views Emerge Over Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance
Trump Signals Frustration with UK Leadership Amid Diverging Approaches to Iran Conflict
UK Government Takes Control of Hunterston B as Landmark Nuclear Decommissioning Begins
UK Public Inflation Expectations Jump Sharply in March, Raising Pressure on Bank of England
UK Ministers Warn Expanded North Sea Drilling Would Deepen Exposure to Global Energy Volatility
Delayed UK Defence Investment Plan Leaves Suppliers Under Severe Financial Strain
Can Iran Strike the UK? Assessing the Real Military Threat as Conflict Escalates
Sanctioned Iranian Banker Linked to Luxury Marbella Villa Through UK Corporate Structure
Casey Bloys Navigates HBO Max UK Launch, Paramount Integration and Industry Buzz Over Netflix Meeting
Iran Conflict Sparks Sharp Turbulence in UK Mortgage Market, Reaching Pandemic-Era Disruption Levels
Major Donor Urges University of Kentucky to Reconsider Mitch Barnhart’s Post-Retirement Role
United Kingdom Moves to Lead International Effort to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Police Investigate Targeted Attack on Jewish Ambulance Vehicles
UK Police Investigate Targeted Attack on Jewish Ambulance Vehicles
Senior UK Advocate Criticises Barnhart Retirement Appointment, Calls for Reconsideration
UK Finds No Evidence of Direct Iranian Threat to Britain, Says Prime Minister Starmer
Assessing Iran’s Strike Capability and the UK’s Readiness Amid Rising Tensions
NATO Unable to Confirm Iran’s Role in Strike on UK-US Base as Tehran Denies Involvement
University of Kentucky’s Youling Xiong Receives SEC Faculty Achievement Award for 2026
Trump Highlights Satirical Portrayal of UK Leadership Amid Talks with Prime Minister Starmer on Iran Conflict
Trump Highlights Satirical Portrayal of UK Leadership Amid Talks with Prime Minister Starmer on Iran Conflict
UK Fuel Prices Surge Toward Crisis Levels as Experts Warn of Further Sharp Increases
UK Fuel Prices Surge Toward Crisis Levels as Experts Warn of Further Sharp Increases
Duchess of Sussex Secures ‘As Ever’ Trademark Rights in Australia Ahead of High-Profile Visit
UK Reaffirms Security as Officials Reject Claims of Immediate Iranian Missile Threat
Rising Middle East Tensions Spark ‘Trumpflation’ Debate Over Impact on UK Households
UK Minister Says No Evidence Iran Can Strike Europe Despite Heightened Warnings
British-Iranians Voice Safety Concerns to Authorities as Regional Conflict Intensifies
Confirmed Meningitis Cases Linked to Kent Outbreak Revised Down to Twenty
UK Government Sees No Evidence Iran Can Strike London Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Debate Grows Over Recognition of Indigenous Cultural Icons in the United Kingdom
Iran Missile Launch Toward Diego Garcia Raises Questions After Failed Strike on US–UK Base
Donald Trump Amplifies Viral Satirical Clip Highlighting UK–US Political Dynamics
UK Satirical Show Draws Attention with Sketch Referencing Trump and Prince Andrew
Meghan Markle’s Possible UK Return Sparks Renewed Attention on Sussex Role
Starmer Convenes Urgent Talks on Cost-of-Living Pressures Linked to Iran Conflict
Starmer Convenes Urgent Talks on Cost-of-Living Pressures Linked to Iran Conflict
UK Investors Eye Bargain Shares Ahead of ISA Deadline Amid Market Volatility
UK Investors Eye Bargain Shares Ahead of ISA Deadline Amid Market Volatility
×