A Somerset school has apologised to victims of historic sexual abuse, at an inquiry which heard it did not recognise "all the hallmarks of grooming".
Wells Cathedral School offered the “full apology” in its opening statement in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) which began today (Monday, September 30).
The school’s music assistant Julien Bertrand was sentenced to six years in prison in April 2007, after pleading guilty to 15 offences against two boys.
The inquiry heard how several complaints were made against him before serious action was taken.
Wells Cathedral School is said to have failed to recognise “all the hallmarks of grooming.”
Counsel Genevieve Woods spoke on behalf of the school.
She quoted headmaster Alastair Tighe, who has been in the post since September 2018, saying that he is “acutely conscious” that abuse has been committed in the past.
He offered a “full apology to all survivors” and said that “his door is open” to any victims wishing to speak with him.
The opening statement also told the inquiry that Wells Cathedral School is now “totally committed” to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of its pupils – which it sees as its “primary responsibility.”
The school says it has worked hard to create an “open safeguarding culture” and that it recognises safeguarding is every staff member’s responsibility.
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Wells Cathedral School commissioned an independent safeguarding review in 2017 which found there is “no doubt” that the safety and wellbeing of students is “taken seriously.”
And it commissioned another in 2018 which saw “no reason” to disagree with the “overwhelmingly positive” findings of previous reports.
However Wells Cathedral School says that there is “always more work to be done” and welcomes the opportunity to work with the inquiry.
The IICSA inquiry hearing into historic sex abuse at independent schools across England continues tomorrow, (Tuesday October 1).
The inquiry is also looking into abuse perpetrated by a ‘fixated paedophile’ at Sherborne Prep School.
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