Sexual offenses and misconduct in England and Wales schools

Investigations and government data have highlighted significant levels of sexual offenses and misconduct within educational settings in England and Wales.

An investigation utilizing freedom of information requests revealed that between 2021 and 2025, at least 8,500 sexual offenses against children under 13 were recorded in or around schools. This included nearly 2,000 reports of rape or attempted rape, with minors under 18 identified as the alleged perpetrators in at least 1,890 cases. The data also noted 6,140 offenses involving the possession or distribution of sexual images of minors.

Department for Education figures for the 2024/25 school year showed a 12% increase in suspensions due to sexual misconduct, reaching a total of 7,278. This represents the highest number recorded since 2020. The misconduct included sexual assault, harassment, and lewd behavior. Notably, 20 suspensions involved children aged five or under, and secondary school students aged 13 and 14 were the most frequent offenders.