The report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) into the abuse of children in residential schools was published at the start of this month. Although focusing on residential institutions the report also looked more widely across the school system.

Its conclusions were stark: despite improvements over the past two decades, schools are still too often reluctant to report sexual abuse carried out by staff and pupils, and too many are more concerned with preserving reputation than protecting children. It warned that schools are still not always safe places for children today.