Shropshire independent school criticised over handing of incidents where pupils shared online nude images
Senior staff at an independent boarding school have been criticised over their handling of instances of "sharing of online nude images" and incidents of "potential child on child abuse".
Ellesmere College was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) last October – with the watchdog publishing its findings earlier this week.
It has concluded that the school had not met requirements in five of the eight categories inspected, including safeguarding, risk assessments, complaints and leadership and management.
The school was also criticised over its handling of "inappropriate sexual behaviour by pupils".
In a statement the school has disputed the findings, saying it had sought guidance from other "professional bodies" which had backed up its actions – but accepted "ISI Inspectors did not agree with our interpretation of the guidance".
The school also said that the inspectors' use of the term “inappropriate sexual behaviour” in the report "relates specifically to 'kissing'."
In a statement the college said that "immediate action" had been taken "to remedy the deficiencies detailed in the report".
The unannounced inspection took place in October at the request of the Department of Education.
Referencing safeguarding the report says that the school's policy is "not implemented effectively in all areas".
