Address: Toddington, Gloucestershire
Peter Righton was a governor of New Barns, where his partner Richard Alston was headmaster. Righton was a social worker and academic who in 1992 was fined £900 for possession of abusive images of children. He was a member of the Paedophile Information Exchange ( member number 51). In 2015, Alston was convicted and imprisoned for sexual abuse of a former pupil in the 70s.
‘ ‘Over time most communities develop rituals or symbols holding particular meanings for their members and sometimes indicating special relationships of communal and individual value. For instance when at New Barns a child sits on an adults knees this implies a special friendship, the significance of which is understood by the child, the adult and the community. Similarly the availability of adult rooms to particular children and the places where children sit in the dining room and playroom are often important in this way. It is hoped in these matters that visitors and newcomers will be aware and take into account the special significance involved.‘ ( Excerpt from the New Barns book. 1975) .
07.01.93. School staff arrested. Community Care
10.02.94. For the Sake of the Children. Daily Mail
05.09.96. In the light of them being found not guilty former New Barns staff wrote in Letters to Community Care about their opposition to the New Barns police and social services investigation
23.05.96. Gloucester right over New Barns. Community Care.
The Director of Social Services responded stating that more than 20 pupils and former pupils had made allegations which had to be investigated. The jury made a decision about a specific charge of unlawful imprisonment and was not asked to comment on the child care practices within the school.
30.05.96. Question of confinement. Community Care felt the need to present both sides of the issue. Although 8 defendants were cleared of charges of false imprisonment of pupils, the school was closed following Gloucestershire Social Services and police investigations. That the children suffered abuse was in no doubt – the bizarre form of regression therapy imposed on children was cruelty.
30.05.96. Question of Confinement. Community Care presented both sides of the argument and the former staff retained a voice in this magazine expressing strong views by letter writing.
The Planned Environmental Therapy Trust 2014. Staff from New Barns returned to the site and lived and worked there and set up an archive about children’s ‘therapeutic’ communities.
The Planned Environmental Therapy Trust at the former New Barns site. booklet 2014. Some staff returned again after the school was closed. John Cross former Headmaster was a Trustee of the PETT.
Islington Survivors Network 