Ofsted has today published updated education inspection
handbooks, clarifying how inspectors will assess how schools and
colleges confront sexual harassment, abuse and violence among
children and young people.
The updates follow Ofsted’s recent Review of sexual abuse in
schools and colleges, which found that sexual harassment has
become ‘normalised’ for children and young people. The report
recommended that school and college leaders should develop a
culture where all kinds of sexual harassment are recognised and
addressed, including with sanctions when appropriate.
The changes to the handbooks will take effect when routine
inspection resumes in September.Inspectors will expect schools
and college leaders to assume that sexual harassment, online
sexual abuse and sexual violence are happening in and around
their school, even when there are no specific reports, and to
have put in place a whole-school approach to address them.
Inspectors will also consider how schools and colleges handle
allegations and incidents of sexual abuse between children and
young people when they do occur.
Inspectors will look at the preventative measures schools and
colleges have put in place to guard against sexual harassment and
abuse, including behaviour policies, pastoral support and the
relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) curriculum.
Ofsted will also expect schools and colleges to be alert to
factors that increase children’s potential vulnerability to
sexual abuse, and to understand and address the barriers that
could prevent a child or young person from reporting an incident.
Where schools and colleges do have not adequate processes in
place, it is likely that safeguarding will be considered
ineffective. This can impact on the ‘leadership and
management’ judgement and the overall grade is likely to be
‘inadequate’.
Sean Harford, Ofsted National Education Director
said:
“The findings from our recent review have revealed just how
commonplace sexual harassment has become in schools and colleges.
So, even when there are no specific reports, schools and colleges
must assume that it is taking place and plan to address it
accordingly. Our updated handbooks are clear about how we will
assess the approach schools and colleges have taken to tackle
these issues head-on.
“We will expect schools and colleges to have created a culture
where sexual abuse and harassment is not acceptable and never
tolerated. And where pupils are supported to report any concerns
about harmful sexual behaviour and can feel confident they will
be taken seriously.”
Inspectors will not investigate individual allegations of harmful
sexual behaviour, but will ensure that they are reported to the
appropriate authority, if this has not already happened.
Ofsted has also updated and clarified how it will report on
careers guidance. All secondary schools are expected to provide
effective careers information, education, advice and guidance
(CIEAG), in line with the statutory ‘Careers guidance and
access for education and training providers’. As part of
this, it is important that schools understand and meet the
requirements of the ‘Baker clause’, which came into force in
January 2018. If a school is not meeting the requirements of the
clause, inspectors will state this in the inspection report. They
will consider what impact this has on the quality of CIEAG and
the subsequent judgement for personal development.
ENDS
Ofsted inspection handbooks: