Full Breakdown
Reform UK Councillor Accused of Sending Abusive Messages to SEND Coordinator
6/24/2026, 10:40:14 PM
The Controversial Facebook Post and Calls for Resignation
On Thursday, Reform UK councillor Ryan Coogan posted on Facebook a message that named a special educational needs (SEND) coordinator at Cottenham Village College. Coogan said the staff member lacked competence and should resign immediately. He further claimed that the SENCO scandal at the academy was comparable in scale to the national rape-gang scandal, though he said it was not as heinous, drawing a reference to the ongoing inquiry into child sexual-abuse grooming gangs. Coogan, elected in May to represent Ramsey ward on Huntingdonshire District Council, posted the message on Thursday; the school replied in a Friday letter.
Official Statements & Institutional Response
Astrea Academy Trust responded to the Facebook post by emphasizing its responsibility to safeguard staff from what it described as “unreasonable, personal attacks.” The Trust’s letter to parents framed the councillor’s comments as an attack on the professional integrity of the unnamed coordinator and reiterated the school’s commitment to a safe working environment for its employees.
Criticism & Opposition
The school’s statement characterizes Coogan’s remarks as a personal attack, suggesting that the comparison to the national rape-gang investigations is inappropriate and potentially damaging to the reputation of SEND staff. No counter-statement from Coogan or the Reform UK group is provided in the source material.
Verbatim Quotes
- “making victims' lives more difficult and ruining children's futures one huge mistake at a time” — Ryan Coogan, Reform UK councillor
- “our duty to protect [staff] from unreasonable, personal attacks” — Astrea Academy Trust, school operator
- “I can assure you, talentless individuals, who have absolutely no clue about children and their needs, should be nowhere near children, let alone working in schools.” — Ryan Coogan, Reform UK councillor
- “I think the Academy SENCO scandal is as big in size as the rape gang scandal just not as heinous.” — Ryan Coogan, Reform UK councillor
- “should resign immediately” — Ryan Coogan, Reform UK councillor
Why It Matters: Impact on Special Education and Public Discourse
The exchange highlights tensions between elected officials and education professionals when policy criticism intersects with personal accusations. By invoking a high-profile national investigation, the councillor’s remarks may influence public perception of SEND provision and raise concerns about the politicization of safeguarding issues.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The source does not include a direct response from Coogan following the Trust’s letter, nor does it provide details about the alleged misconduct of the SEND coordinator. Independent verification of the claims remains absent.
What’s Next
The national inquiry into child sexual-abuse grooming gangs continues. No upcoming actions by the school have been reported, and no formal council or legal proceedings are noted at this stage.
