Excl: East London school admits some of its methods are ‘completely unacceptable’ after our investigation reveals pupils are referred to as ‘detainees.’ And - staff were given a handbook revealing sexist directives, described by CEO of the school’s trust as ‘from the 70s.’

ITV News has seen emails sent by teacher Barry Smith, who was brought into Hackney New School to improve discipline, calling pupils ‘detainees’ when handing out detentions.

We’ve seen emails showing that last year, on one day alone, more than 150 pupils were in detention- approx half of Hackney New School’s population. Staff who spoke to us anonymously, & current pupil on the record, claim disciplinary methods are damaging to pupils mental health.

A pupil sent an email to all staff at the school. In it she alleges a “pattern of conscious & subconscious racism has gotten to a toxicity level beyond limits” The school says it refutes this, stating more than 60% of leadership are from Black & ethnic minority communities.

In March the school’s press team claimed they’d “eliminated bullying” by banning play at breaktime and lunchtime. The staff who spoke to us said the idea that bullying has been eradicated is “laughable.”

The CEO of the Community School’s Trust, which runs Hackney New School, has defended most of the school’s behaviour systems, telling us they’ve turned around what was once a ‘dangerous school’. Full reporting on this from myself & @JonMitchell_ITV at 6pm.