A new report has revealed that boarding schools provide the perfect environment for grooming. The pupils are more dependent upon adults than in nonresidential settings.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse found that some children’s residential school may actually be their home.
The investigation began with residential specialist music schools as well as residential special schools. These schools were known to have higher rates of child sexual abuse. It then moved on to other types schools, including day schools. Day schools are schools in which staff have been convicted of sexual assault of pupils or where serious safeguarding concerns have arisen.
The first phase of the inquiry was held in September and Oct 2019, and included public hearings. This focused on residential music schools such as Chethams School Manchester, Yehudi Menuhin School Surrey, and Purcell School Hertfordshire.
It also examined residential special school, including Southlands School (Hampshire) and Appletree School (Cumbbria).
The second phase focused on three mainstream schools in which sexual abuse allegations were raised. This included a state school as well as a private boarding school.
These allegations relate to incidents that were alleged to have occurred between the 1960s and 2014.
According to the report, some students were more likely to be sexually abused because of the power and influence of highly respected and influential music teachers.
When allegations were made, or concerns were raised, the reputations of the schools and musicians were often more important than those who were the victims.
Similar responses were given when concerns were raised about the well-liked, respected staff members in other school contexts, both in the state and independent sectors.
The report revealed that there was a reluctance by staff and pupils to report sexual abuse in 12 schools.
It said that, despite many improvements to safeguarding, children still face sexual harassment and abuse in schools, despite the numerous complaints of child sexual violence referenced in the closed-residential schools account.
Ineffective safeguarding at schools over the past twenty years was a topic of inquiry. The inquiry was also informed that testimonies from Everyones Invited show that peer harassment and sexual abuse are still endemic in some schools.
It was discovered that Michael Brewer, Chethams School’s former director of Music, was a powerful figure with complete control over all matters related to music.
Frances Andrade, a former student at the school, committed suicide in 2013 after giving evidence about how Brewer had sexually abused and groomed her.
Inquiry also revealed that Christopher Ling (a Chethams violin tutor) abused a number students in his care in the 1980s, when they were between nine and fifteen years old.
The report included a number of recommendations to improve school safety, including establishing nationally recognized standards and safeguarding training levels in schools. Headteachers in England and Wales will be required to have the highest level of safeguarding and designated safeguarding leads in England. Boarding schools and residential special schools will also need to inform inspectors of any allegations of child sexual abuse or other serious incidents.
Professor Alexis Jay, chair of the inquiry, stated that today we published the inquiry’s 19th investigation into residential schools.
Schools play a vital role in the lives and education of nearly nine million children in England, and half a billion in Wales. Schools should be safe places where children can learn from trusted teachers and thrive in a safe environment.
This is in stark contrast to the shocking examples of child sexual abuse that are detailed in this report. They are the exact opposite of what a school should be.
Poor leadership often left staff unsure of how to respond in the face of concerns about sexual abuse, or afraid of the consequences. It was evident that the school’s reputation was being protected at all costs. This is a common theme in many of our reports.
While residential and day schools play an important role in protecting children from harm, they aren’t as safe as they should be despite being more focused on safeguarding for 20 years. This must change. To improve the school’s child protection system, it is imperative that seven of the recommendations in this report be implemented.