Skip to content

Everyone’s Invited: Ofsted report - analysis and action plan

Insight

Colouring pencils low res

By now, the findings and recommendations of the Ofsted rapid review of sexual abuse in schools have been widely reported on and discussed in the media. The Ofsted review was launched following thousands of disclosures on the website “Everyone’s Invited” about sexual harassment and sexual violence involving schools (both state and independent) as well as universities. As things stand, there are over 51,000 testimonies on the website naming hundreds of education settings across the UK with the disclosures highlighting the full spectrum of behaviour from lower level harassment to serious sexual assault and rape.

In this note, we have drawn together Ofsted's findings and recommendations (Appendix 1) as well as the reactions from the Police, DfE, Minister for Education and NSPCC (Appendix 2) and our suggested actions for schools (embedded into the comments in Appendix 1). We have provided this information in table format to help senior leaders and governors identify the issues clearly with a view to creating an action plan in response. Your school may well already be doing much of what is recommended but we think it is helpful to have a complete list of factors to take into account when discussing this at senior level.

Click here to read the full note.

If you require further information about anything covered in this briefing, please contact Maria Strauss, Veryan Exelby, or your usual contact at the firm on +44 (0)20 3375 7000.

This publication is a general summary of the law. It should not replace legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

© Farrer & Co LLP, June 2021

Want to know more?

Contact us

About the authors

Maria Strauss lawyer photo

Maria Strauss

Partner

Maria advises a broad spectrum of clients including private companies, not-for-profit organisations, independent schools, banks, sports clubs, Churches and faith-based organisations on employment law and safeguarding matters. 

Maria advises a broad spectrum of clients including private companies, not-for-profit organisations, independent schools, banks, sports clubs, Churches and faith-based organisations on employment law and safeguarding matters. 

Email Maria +44 (0)20 3375 7259
Verian Exelby lawyer photo

Veryan Exelby

Senior Counsel

Veryan is Senior Counsel within the Safeguarding Unit. She was previously a partner in the Family team at Farrer & Co. Veryan advises on all areas of safeguarding and works with clients across a variety of sectors, including schools, education businesses, faith-based organisations, charities and any organisation that works with children, young adults and vulnerable people. In addition to advising on live and historic safeguarding issues and crisis management, Veryan undertakes safeguarding audits, policy reviews and investigations into specific safeguarding matters. She provides safeguarding training for school governors, designated safeguarding leads and charity trustees. Veryan is the Safeguarding Governor at St Paul’s School. She is a Trustee of the Nicola Benedetti Foundation and she volunteers weekly at a family law clinic in West London. Veryan began training with Farrer & Co in 1997, and was made a partner in 2005. She spent time living in both Tokyo and Hong Kong with her family before returning to the firm in 2016.

Veryan is Senior Counsel within the Safeguarding Unit. She was previously a partner in the Family team at Farrer & Co. Veryan advises on all areas of safeguarding and works with clients across a variety of sectors, including schools, education businesses, faith-based organisations, charities and any organisation that works with children, young adults and vulnerable people. In addition to advising on live and historic safeguarding issues and crisis management, Veryan undertakes safeguarding audits, policy reviews and investigations into specific safeguarding matters. She provides safeguarding training for school governors, designated safeguarding leads and charity trustees. Veryan is the Safeguarding Governor at St Paul’s School. She is a Trustee of the Nicola Benedetti Foundation and she volunteers weekly at a family law clinic in West London. Veryan began training with Farrer & Co in 1997, and was made a partner in 2005. She spent time living in both Tokyo and Hong Kong with her family before returning to the firm in 2016.

Email Veryan +44 (0)20 3375 7000
Back to top