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.  

A communications strategy was developed in close liaison with the police press office, aligned to the timeline of the police investigation. This enabled the school to issue a series of coordinated communications to stakeholders throughout the criminal justice process. Media training was delivered to the senior leadership team, alongside advice 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.