Former Knowl View pupil breaks his silence

For the first time, a former resident of Knowl View has spoken out about the notorious residential school at the heart of current investigations by Rochdale Council and Greater Manchester Police. Rochdale Online was given an exclusive interview with the man, now in his 30s, together with his mother. We have agreed to protect their identities.

Stephen has suffered from severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) since attending a conventional primary school. Because he became increasingly disruptive in the classroom, he became a resident at Knowl View school from September 1990, aged 8, returning home at weekends and school holidays. He was at the school until 1993 and still remains heavily affected by his condition.

Stephen told us a disturbing story of physical abuse by some teaching and care staff, although he was also quick to praise other staff who had been both kind and supportive during his time there. Other details remain hazy because the incidents had happened so long ago.

Stephen’s mother told us that she had begun to have concerns soon after his placement. Initially she was told that she was free to visit her son “at any time” but when she did, she was invariably not allowed access to the premises or given unconvincing excuses as to why it was inconvenient to see him. On rare occasions, some staff were more welcoming and allowed her inside and even made her a drink.

Stephen told us that on one occasion, an assault carried out on him by a female member of staff in his bedroom had caused him to smash his head against a radiator, resulting in a nosebleed and all because he had not pulled his duvet up quickly enough.

On another occasion, he had witnessed another staff member throwing a pair of scissors at a boy in the classroom.

He painted a picture of uncontrolled violence, often done in temper, and angry outbursts being a regular feature of life at the school, though he no longer remember all of the details. Stephen said: “I have tried to put it all behind me.” He remembers several staff but is hazy on other details. He remembers clearly, however, a school holiday in France where two staff members engaged upon a sexual relationship.

He also recalls an incident where another pupil was assaulted and flung against a wall with such force that one of the lampshades fell off. He describes a scenario where violence seemed to be a very frequent occurrence that was both severe and sustained.

Stephen has been encouraged to speak out now as he knows that other former pupils have come forward to tell their stories and he feels that it is time that the truth came out.

Stephen’s mother told us that she begun to notice large, unexplained bruises on her son on his weekend visits but when she quizzed him about these, he seemed reluctant to talk about them and unwilling to explain becoming quiet and withdrawn. On one occasion, she noticed the clear imprint of a trainer sole on his back, indicating that he had been stamped on.

On another occasion, Stephen came home with an extremely large bruise on his arm. When she later asked staff about it, she was told that he didn’t have the bruise when he left the school for a weekend visit but she says that a witness was present when Stephen arrived home who can confirm that the bruise was there from the time he arrived home. When she raised other concerns regarding injuries, she was told by staff that he was “accident-prone".

She says that she had a conversation with Martin Digan, former Head of Care at the school, who urged her to become a parent-governor but she had too many time commitments with her younger children to pursue this.

Later on in 1998, three years after the school’s closure, she had another discussion with Mr Digan about raising concerns with the police, who were investigating complaints about the school under Operation Cleopatra.

Mr Digan became and remains a whistleblower about Knowl View and has fought for years to get a full, independent inquiry held.

Stephen’s mother said she had contacted Panones, the solicitors handling claims by other former pupils, but has been told that there is a five year time limit on claims in respect of physical abuse, unlike instances of sexual abuse. She also contacted Simon Danczuk MP who advised her to raise her concerns with the police. She says that she is not seeking compensation but wishes the matter to be fully investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. With his mother’s support, Stephen has agreed to talk to the police.

Stephen’s mother told us that she had kept a file on the concerns she had raised over the years together with her son’s progress reports. Several years ago, she says a police officer visited her home and took the files away but seemed to be disappointed when she told him that these were only copies and that she had kept the originals.

Stephen seems to be a young man who is still struggling to come to terms with his past and, like his mother, hopes too that those who carried out these acts of violence and aggression will be brought before the courts and punished. He has named several people who he believes have very serious questions to answer.