School denies dismissing claims of abuse

A school has denied it dismissed claims of historical abuse from former pupils.

Elizabeth College Guernsey said last week it would investigate claims of historical abuse after several allegations were made from pupils who attended the school in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Observer newspaper has published claims of physical and sexual abuse from three former boarders who allege at least 18 boys were groomed and the school repeatedly dismissed victims' concerns in 2012, 2021 and 2025.

In a statement, the school said it strongly disagreed with claims made in the Observer and it had reported every disclosure to the police.

In a statement, Elizabeth College said: "The college is unequivocal in its condemnation of any form of abuse, and deeply regrets and apologises to anyone who has suffered abuse at the college."

"While details around disclosures and the college's handling of them are matters for the independent, expert-led review, the college strongly disputes claims reported in the Observer that the school repeatedly dismissed victims' concerns in 2012, 2021 and 2025.

"Any disclosures received from former pupils were treated with the utmost seriousness, followed up by the school, and reports made to the police.

"For clarity, these disclosures related to events in the 1970s and 1980s."

On Monday, deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez and the politician in charge of education, deputy Paul Montague, issued a joint statement.

In it they said: "The school has been transparent about launching the review so we are confident it will be transparent about the findings, while of course respecting victims' right to confidentiality.

"We would encourage anyone who suffered abuse and wants to disclose it, no matter when they attended the school or why they were at the school, to share that information with the reviewer, MASH [Multi Agency Support Hub], and the police as necessary."

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