Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Paragraph: 16
Ensure all schools recognise sexual harassment seriousness and receive funding for effective safeguarding.
Recommendation
Sexual harassment and sexual violence continues to be a scourge in our schools, with many girls and women feeling powerless. The issues are longstanding and warnings have been frequent, including from our predecessor Committee. It is saddening that it took the public testimonies of thousands of school-aged children for Ofsted and the schools they inspect to acknowledge the seriousness of the problem. The Government must take steps to ensure that all schools, including both mainstream and special schools, recognise the seriousness of the problem of sexual harassment in educational settings of female students and staff and have the funding they require to deliver safeguarding effectively.
Government Response Summary
The government states that updated statutory guidance (Keeping Children Safe in Education) already makes it explicit that schools should understand and prepare for sexual harassment, and that funding is available through core school budgets which have been significantly increased.
Paragraph Reference:
16
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
1. The updates to Keeping Children Safe in Education made it explicit that all schools should understand that sexual harassment and sexual violence might happen in any school, and that they should prepare and act accordingly. The statutory guidance sets clear expectations about safeguarding training. It is for schools to decide how best to meet these strengthened duties and funding is available through core schools funding. The Government has significantly increased funding for education. The total schools’ budget will be over £59.6 billion in 2024–25 – the highest ever level in real terms, as measured by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS).