Autistic girl among 10 sexually abused at Hampshire school

London: A mixed boarding school is being investigated by police over claims that least 10 girls were sexually abused by other pupils.

The allegations emerged during a tribunal that heard that a 15-year-old autistic girl was groomed and raped at Stanbridge Earls School in Romsey, Hampshire.

The victim’s mother claims there was a “predatory ring” around the rugby team and said behaviour among children was “like something out of Lord of the Flies”.

It was also alleged that a 12-year-old girl was stripped naked by five pupils and, on another occasion, assaulted in woodland. The claims of abuse at the school, which specialises in helping children with learning difficulties and where fees are up to £39,000 (Dh218,000) a year, were revealed at a Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.

It criticised “systemic failures” and voiced “grave concerns about safeguarding” of children. It awarded £86,000 to the parents of the 15-year-old, now 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The tribunal heard that the girl was assaulted by a boy in June 2011. She was taken to a GP but her parents were not told.

Two weeks later she said she had been raped. Texts between the girl and male pupils were obvious attempts to groom her, the tribunal ruled. She had been persuaded to send naked photos of herself to boys, it was claimed. However, the messages were dismissed by Stanbridge Earls headmaster Peter Trythall as “normal texts for children of this age”.

The girl’s mother said: “The fact that our daughter was not the only vulnerable underage girl subject to sexual contact and sexual intercourse was, and is, shocking. It has taken 18 months and £150,000 in legal costs for us to be listened to.”

The family’s solicitor said tribunal evidence suggested more than 10 girls had been abused.

The mother of the 12-year-old, now 14, who also cannot be named, said the girl had since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The tribunal’s findings have been sent to Education Secretary Michael Gove, who is considering the school’s future. Hampshire Police confirmed that officers are investigating the allegations.

Stanbridge Earls, which has 200 pupils aged 10 to 19, said the tribunal case was “in no way illustrative of the way the school normally meets the needs of its pupils”. It added: “The school has submitted a detailed action plan concerning how it is remedying issues.”

The Department for Education said: “These allegations are deeply disturbing. We are in close touch with the parents and the school and are working closely with the local authority to make sure children are safe at the school.”