School review into abuse after ex-pupil disclosures

A boarding school has begun a review into historical abuse after a former teacher was jailed for the indecent assault of two pupils.

The King's School Canterbury, in a letter to alumni seen by the BBC, wrote that ex-pupils had "disclosed experiences involving other former members of staff".

Others had shared "further information" about Dennis Fletcher, 76, from Broadstairs, who was sentenced to 11 years and nine months in prison in July for sexually abusing two boys under the age of 14 between 1978 and 1982.

The letter said that it was "right to undertake an independent review into past cases and disclosures of abuse".

Fletcher had been a resident boarding master at Junior King's School in Sturry, near Canterbury.

In the letter, signed by headteacher Jude Lowson, the school said it was "appalled by his actions and by the harm he caused" and apologised to "those whom the school did not protect".

Lowson wrote: "The willingness of those who came forward to share difficult experiences has also helped us better understand this part of the school's history."

According to the school, the review would be undertaken independently by Mark Bailey, who has "considerable experience of conducting safeguarding reviews".

One victim, who gave a statement to Kent Police during an investigation into Fletcher, said he believed other victims coming forward showed the life-long effect of the abuse.

"This has been a life-long ambition of mine for The King's School to launch an independent inquiry into abuse," the person, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the BBC.

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Lowson wrote that the review would "focus principally" on the period between the late 1950s and the late 1990s but would be "interested in hearing about relevant experiences from any former pupils and will not exclude these from the scope".

The school governors believe the review "is the right thing to do", would support those who come forward and "want to be open about this part of the school's history", the headteacher said.

She wrote: "The review also reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and to ensuring that current safeguarding at King's is as strong as it can be."

The review has begun accepting testimony and information by phone and email, and the letter said it would be "trauma-informed, confidential and conducted with care".

Kent Police has been contacted for comment.

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