Ofsted review of sexual abuse in schools: summary

Be clear on the key findings from Ofsted's sexual abuse review, and what it recommends your school should do, so you can get up to speed with what’s happening in the sector right now.

Last reviewed on 18 June 2021
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 39322
Contents
  1. What was the review?
  2. The key findings ...
  3. Pupils often see no point in reporting harmful behaviour
  4. RSHE doesn't meet the needs of young people
  5. Some teachers and leaders underestimate the scale of the problem
  6. School leaders are having to make difficult decisions they’re not equipped for
  7. Schools shouldn’t have to tackle this on their own
  8. Local safeguarding partners (LSPs) have varying levels of oversight
  9. Ofsted will update its training, inspection handbooks and practices
  10. The key recommendations for schools

This article summarises key points from Ofsted’s review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges.

We're currently putting together a suite of content to help you and your board rise to the challenges presented by this review. Over the coming weeks, we'll help you to:

  • Develop and support a whole-school culture that challenges sexism and sexist attitudes
  • Review your policies and curriculum for unconscious biases

And even more. In the meantime, you can learn more about preventing sexual abuse in your school here:

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.

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