Top school’s ‘shock’ over sex assault allegations
APRIVATE boy’s boarding school has responded to sexual assault allegations made on the whistle-blowing website Everyone’s Invited.
The site was created last year by former private school pupil Soma Sara, and Meadow Walker, daughter of the late Fast and Furious actor Paul Walker.
Contributions to the online campaign have rocketed in recent weeks, following the murder of Sarah Everard.
Hundreds of testimonies have been posted to the anonymous website, identifying the school or university where the alleged incidents took place.
Ms Sara has pointed to the testimonies as evidence of the “rape culture” rife in the UK education system.
A raft of prestigious private schools have been named in accounts, engulfing elite institutions in a sex scandal.
There are 10 accounts which mention Dorset independent boarding school for boys Sherborne School.
The allegations made through the with respect.”
The school has allotted time in assemblies to discuss the Everyone’s Invited campaign, encouraging pupils to engage with it “in a serious and thoughtful way”.
Ms McKay said Sherborne School takes the issues highlighted “extremely seriously” and has informed its governing body.
The school is also working with Beyond Equality, which aims to rethink masculinity among men and boys to promote gender equality.
She said: “It is particularly encouraging that many of the boys themselves have been active and willing participants in this important work.
“Our Model United Nations group have, for example, been researching and discussing the issue of ending violence against women, whilst our Philosophy and Ethics Society recently discussed Feminism: The Contemporary Issues.”
Sherborne School is working with its sister girls’ school Sherborne Girls to encourage pupils to raise issues which concern them.
She said: “We will provide support, now and in the future, for any pupil should they wish to report any incident that gives them cause for concern.
“Both Sherborne School and Sherborne Girls will continue to challenge and seek to eradicate all forms of unacceptable behaviour and language from our communities.
“We will continue to work together to ensure that our schools provide a nurturing, supportive and fully inclusive environment for all of our pupils.”
This comes as Ofsted announced it will conduct a safeguarding review in state and independent schools in response to the Everyone’s Invited revelations.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Sexual abuse in any form is abhorrent and it is vital that these allegations are dealt with properly. While the majority of schools take their safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously, I am determined to make sure the right resources and processes are in place across the education system to support any victims of abuse to come forward.”
A helpline run by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children will be set up in conjunction with the review, in order to support potential victims.
We will provide support, now and in the future, for any pupil should they wish to report any incident that gives them cause for concern