Ealing School Seeks To Reassure After Damning Report

Child Sex Abuse report looked into historic cases at St Benedict's

St Benedict's in Ealing has issued apologies and a full statement following the report by Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse.

The IICSA described the school as a "grim and beastly place" where a group of paedophile priests behaved "like the mafia", abusing dozens of young boys over a 50 year period.

Five priests have been jailed for abusing children at the school.

In December 2018, Laurence Soper, 74, was jailed for 18 years for abusing boys in the 1970s and 1980s.
In 2009, Father David Pearce, 75, nicknamed the "devil in a dog collar" was jailed after admitting 11 charges dating back to 1972.
Between 2003 and 2009, "master of discipline" John Maestri, 78, of Chatham in Kent, admitted five indecent assaults against children at the school in the 1980s and was jailed.
In 2011, John Skelton was convicted of indecent assaults against two complainants said to have occurred in 1983. Father Anthony Gee faced accusations of abuse and a civil action was brought against him.

The IICSA received 18 further allegations against 8 monks and staff, but the report said the true scale of the abuse is "likely to be much higher".

A statement from St Benedict's reads:

''The Headmaster and Governors of St Benedict’s apologise unreservedly for those who have suffered in the past at the hands of some who held positions of responsibility at and connected with the school.

Following the recommendations of the Independent Review undertaken by Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE QC, since 2012 the governance of St Benedict’s School has been entirely separate from Ealing Abbey, and the Monastic Community no longer has control in the management or governance of the school.

Our safeguarding procedures comply fully with the highest standards and our Safeguarding Committee is chaired by an appropriately qualified safeguarding expert. As stated in the Inquiry’s report, the school commissioned an independent review of safeguarding on the appointment of the present Headmaster.

The review concluded that the Governors and staff are “absolutely committed” to safeguarding and that “the right things are in place”. We continue to be ever watchful for any signs of deficiencies. There is zero tolerance for any actions that could prejudice the safety and security of our students, who remain our only priority at all times. We are pleased to report that the school is popular and thriving under its revised organisation since the implementation of the recommendations of Lord Carlile in 2012.

However, we repeat our deep concern for the victims and cannot sufficiently apologise for their suffering. As a consequence, the Governors and staff of the school are extremely vigilant in terms of the safeguarding and safety of the children in our care to ensure that St Benedict’s is the safest of places for parents to entrust the care of their children.''

25 October 210