In 2017, a prep school in the south of England received a request for information from police who were investigating complaints of inappropriate behaviour. The school needed a strategy that would keep parents and other stakeholders informed about the police investigation and provide reassurance about its current safeguarding policies and procedures.  

I drew up a communications strategy, liaising with the police press office to reflect the timeline of the police investigation. This enabled the school to share a series of communications with stakeholders throughout the criminal justice process. I also delivered media training for the senior leadership team and advised on responses to individual items of correspondence.

The school’s transparent and honest communications were appreciated by parents, who felt reassured about its present-day approach to safeguarding. The school was not mentioned in media coverage about the case.