Review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges
Friday 11th June 2021
Ofsted was asked by the government to carry out a rapid review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges. The report, published yesterday, summarises their findings and recommendations.
The full report can be read here: Review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges
There are recommendations for various organisations including schools and colleges.
Recommendations for school and college leaders
School and college leaders should create a culture where sexual harassment and online sexual abuse are not tolerated, and where they identify issues and intervene early to better protect children and young people.
In order to do this, they should assume that sexual harassment and online sexual abuse are happening in their setting, even when there are no specific reports, and put in place a whole-school approach to address them. This should include:
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a carefully sequenced RSHE curriculum, based on the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) statutory guidance, that specifically includes sexual harassment and sexual violence, including online. This should include time for open discussion of topics that children and young people tell us they find particularly difficult, such as consent and the sending of ‘nudes’
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high-quality training for teachers delivering RSHE
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routine record-keeping and analysis of sexual harassment and sexual violence, including online, to identify patterns and intervene early to prevent abuse
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a behavioural approach, including sanctions when appropriate, to reinforce a culture where sexual harassment and online sexual abuse are not tolerated
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working closely with LSPs in the area where the school or college is located so they are aware of the range of support available to children and young people who are victims or who perpetrate harmful sexual behaviour
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support for designated safeguarding leads (DSLs), such as protected time in timetables to engage with LSPs
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training to ensure that all staff (and governors, where relevant) are able to:
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better understand the definitions of sexual harassment and sexual violence, including online sexual abuse
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identify early signs of peer-on-peer sexual abuse
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consistently uphold standards in their responses to sexual harassment and online sexual abuse
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More information for Wiltshire schools about harmful sexual behaviour
More about RSHE education
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