This article summarises key points from Ofsted’s review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges.
Ofsted’s review of sexual abuse refers to 'peer-on-peer' sexual abuse, however the term child-on-child is now preferred as this highlights that the abuse can occur between children of different ages. We refer to child-on-child in this article so it aligns with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
What was the review?
The government asked Ofsted to conduct a rapid review of sexual abuse in schools, after numerous anonymous testimonials of sexual harassment and abuse were posted on the Everyone’s Invited website.
Ofsted visited 32 schools and colleges as part of its review, some of which had been named on the ‘Everyone’s Invited’ website.
Ofsted spoke to:
- Over 900 children and young people about the prevalence of child-on-child sexual harassment and sexual violence (including online)
- School leaders
- Teachers
- Governors
- Local safeguarding partners (LSPs)
- Parents/carers and other stakeholders