A new report on child sexual abuse found that boarding schools are the best environment for grooming. Children are more dependent on adults than they are in non-residential 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. The investigation then moved on to other types schools, including day schools. Day schools are schools in which staff have been convicted of the abuse of pupils or where there are serious safeguarding concerns.
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 examined three mainstream schools where allegations of sexual abuse had been made, including a public school and a private school.
These allegations were mostly reported and investigated between 1990 and 2017. They relate to incidents alleged that occurred from the 1960s through 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 raised, both the musicians as well as the schools were often viewed as more important than the victims and potential victims.
The response was similar to concerns raised about staff members who are well-liked and respected in other school settings, both state and independent.
Our website #ResidentialSchoolsToday’s report reveals that schools are not as safe as they should be for children and that children’s interests are not always taken into consideration when there are allegations of sexual abuse.
The full investigation report can be found here https://t.co/xF6BkWRhaO pic.twitter.com/LoFMAr3J9f
InquiryCSA (@InquiryCSA). March 1, 2022
The report revealed that there was a reluctance by staff and pupils to report sexual abuse in 12 schools.
It stated that despite numerous improvements and changes to safeguarding since the complaints about child sexual abuse in closed residential schools accounts, children still face sexual abuse and harassment in schools.
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 heard that Michael Brewer, the former director of music at Chethams School was a powerful figure who had complete control over all matters relating 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 found out that Christopher Ling, a Chethams violin tutor, had abused a number pupils who were in his care between the ages of nine and fifteen in the 1980s.
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 report to relevant inspectorates 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 an important role in the lives almost nine million English children and half a million Welsh children. They should be places of learning, where children can flourish in a safe and secure environment.
This contrasts with the many instances of child sexual abuse described in this report. They are the exact opposite of what a school should be.
Staff were often unaware of how to respond or afraid to act when they were under poor leadership. In some cases, it was obvious that protecting the school’s reputation was more important than protecting children from sexual abuse. This theme is very common in many of our reports.
Although residential and day schools play a crucial role in keeping children safe, they are not as safe as they should. This must change. These seven recommendations must be implemented to improve the schools’ child protection systems.