Statement: Ofsted Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools & Colleges

From the Master:

“This report is a disturbing but not entirely surprising read.  The key messages are clear: as schools knew, this is a problem which is widespread across society. To quote the report, schools have a crucial role to play in keeping young people safe, and don’t tackle this alone – and nor should they.

What we have in this report is another snapshot of young people’s perceptions and experiences, and schools will be moving heaven and earth to act on what they read here. We also have some helpful guidance from schools and government agencies on how to support our young people.  Some pupils want more information, and earlier; this finding is another example of how and why we need to keep listening to our young people.

It was heartening to see frequent reference to the pivotal role which parents play in securing their children’s safety and wellbeing, and I am glad to see that parent guidance will also be issued and I am sure that parents will welcome it.  I was also relieved to see that parties and alcohol were highlighted as key areas of concern.

The recommendations are sensible and nuanced.  In particular I am glad to see that schools are encouraged to take a behavioural approach, and to strike the right balance between enforcing sanctions for behaviours which are clearly wrong, and equally seeing the dangers to both alleged victims and alleged perpetrators of over-criminalising the actions of children.

Here at Magdalen College School we have already listened to our pupils, and have launched a new programme of small group sessions led by Sixth Form for our Fifth Formers – this is just one positive change on which we are working.  We are by no means complacent, and we all need to keep learning and listening. We continue to work alongside our parents in securing children’s wellbeing and safety.

We review and alter our PSHCE and our RSE programme every year to respond both to the changing landscape and to pupil feedback.

Boys and girls, schools and parents all want to get this right – they are all part of the solution. This is about allyship in a cause which benefits everyone”.

Helen Pike, June 2021 

Press on the topic

• The Observer, March 2021 – This is an extraordinary opportunity to talk to boys about consent and respect
• The Times, March 2021 – Ask your mothers about sexual harassment, Magdalen College School head tells boys
• The Telegraph, March 2021 – We must make our schoolboys part of the conversation on consent
• School Management Plus, March 2021 – It’s not a case of a condom, a banana or worksheets left in pigeon holes