The government is being urged to appoint a dedicated Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) lead in every secondary school, after a survey revealed that one in eight teachers reported a pupil sexually assaulting a classmate.

The recommendation comes from a report by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) on tackling violence in schools. The report calls for a £1 million investment to pilot a VAWG training grant across 50 schools, colleges, and alternative provision settings, to fund the appointment and training of VAWG leads.

“Over the past decade, schools have led the charge in breaking down the stigma around mental health and providing crucial support for young people. With the right resources, training, and leadership, they can have a similarly transformative impact in tackling violence against women and girls,” said Jon Yates, chief executive of the YEF