Harmful Sexual Behaviour
Tackling Harmful Sexual Behaviour and Promoting Respect at Alde Valley Academy
At Alde Valley Academy, we are fully committed to creating a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all students. Following Ofsted’s review into sexual abuse in schools and colleges (June 2021), we have reflected deeply on the findings and continue to strengthen our safeguarding practices and curriculum.
The report is a powerful reminder that young people today face serious challenges, including exposure to harmful sexual behaviours both online and in person. Ofsted has called on schools to ensure students are empowered to report abuse, and that Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) covers key topics such as consent, pornography, cyberbullying, healthy relationships, and sexual abuse.
We have recently reviewed our RSHE curriculum and remain committed to ongoing improvement. Our goal is to ensure students feel informed, confident, and supported to seek help if they need it.
The Ofsted review highlighted the widespread nature of the problem. Of 900 students across 32 schools:
Non-contact, face-to-face behaviours:
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92% experienced sexist name-calling
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81% heard rumours about their sexual activity
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80% received inappropriate sexual comments
Online/non-contact behaviours:
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88% were sent unwanted sexual images or videos
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80% were pressured to send sexual images
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73% had images shared without consent
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59% were recorded without their knowledge
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51% had unknown images of themselves shared
Contact behaviours:
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79% reported sexual assault of any kind
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68% felt pressured to engage in sexual activity
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64% experienced unwanted touching
Nationally, police recorded over 83,000 child sexual abuse offences in the year ending March 2020—a 267% increase since 2013. These figures are unacceptable.
We take a proactive, "it could happen here" approach, recognising that awareness and vigilance are key to keeping children safe. Our values—particularly kindness and respect—are central to building a culture where inappropriate behaviour is challenged, and healthy relationships are modelled.
We are also working to involve students in open, age-appropriate discussions around harmful sexual behaviours, consent, and personal boundaries.
We will never tolerate sexual abuse in any form.
If you or your child have concerns, please contact our safeguarding team directly at:
safeguarding@aldevalley.suffolk.sch.uk
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