The Education Minister's statement on the Sharp Report (1999)

I regret that there was a historic case of child abuse at one of the island’s schools, which was uncovered in the early 1990s before I was elected as a States member. In the light of recent allegations about this case I have reviewed the circumstances surrounding it, and am issuing the following statement.

Once reported to the Education Department of the day, this incidence of abuse was taken seriously. The man responsible was successfully prosecuted and subsequently imprisoned.

Following that prosecution, in June 1999 an independent report was commissioned (known as the Sharp Report) by the former Education Committee and the school’s board of governors, to investigate the procedures followed by the school. It highlighted errors in the way the school dealt with initial allegations, and in its failure to follow procedures. 

The report made a number of recommendations and all have since been implemented.

1 – The procedures and forms for approval of trips must be adequately staffed by teachers with appropriate qualifications.

2 – The existing policy on alcohol for all schools was reviewed and strengthened. 

3 – Off-island trips have now, not only to be approved by headteachers but must also be approved by the Education Department. 

4 – All teachers are trained in child protection and every school has a trained child protection co-ordinator.

5. The Sharp Report noted that the policy, advice and procedures provided by the Education Department for child protection were appropriate at the time. These have since been updated by more comprehensive guidance on safeguarding children. 

5 – A transparent complaints procedure has been put in place. 

Following the Sharp report, the headteacher and deputy head at the school resigned their posts.

The Education Committee of the day did not publish the report because they considered that the details contained in it could lead to the identification of some of  the children who had been seriously affected. The decision not to publish the report was taken to protect those children.


Senator Mike Vibert - Education Minister Page Last Updated: 26/02/2008