Southampton teacher’s conviction highlights urgent need for IICSA recommendations to be implemented

Allegations of wider safeguarding failures

Allegations were also heard that other adults within the school were aware of Norman’s behaviour but failed to act - prompting renewed concern about safeguarding practices and accountability within educational institutions.

Specialist abuse lawyers at Simpson Millar, who represent survivors across the UK, said the case highlights systemic safeguarding weaknesses that IICSA sought to address - including the need for a statutory duty on professionals working with children and young people in England to report known or suspected sexual abuse.

There are also ongoing court proceedings involving other former staff at St Anne’s Catholic School, including a former headteacher and two former teachers, who face separate allegations of sexual offences against pupils between 2004 and 2022.

While the Government has introduced the Crime and Policing Bill, which would bring this duty into force, it has only just begun its journey through Parliament and is yet to become law.

Support for survivors and calls for accountability

The firm is also encouraging anyone who may have been affected by Norman’s actions - or by abuse in similar educational settings - to seek confidential legal advice and support.

Jacob Shaw, abuse law expert at Simpson Millar, said: “Leo Norman’s actions are a gross betrayal of the trust placed in teachers. For years, he exploited his position to manipulate and harm children in his care.

“The survivors in this case showed immense courage in coming forward, but it should never have fallen solely on them to expose his abuse. Allegations that others may have known and failed to act raise serious questions about institutional accountability - precisely the kind of failures IICSA warned must be confronted.”

Lack of progress on IICSA recommendations

The case comes amid growing frustration at the slow pace of progress following IICSA’s final report, published three years ago. The seven-year inquiry made 20 recommendations designed to strengthen safeguarding, protect children and better support survivors - yet none have been fully implemented.

Jacob continued: “Every new conviction like this one is a reminder that lessons have still not been learned. Survivors continue to face unnecessary barriers to justice, and children remain at risk while these recommendations go unfulfilled.

“Implementing IICSA’s proposals - particularly mandatory reporting of suspected abuse and a National Redress Scheme - would give children greater protection, and survivors access to therapy, financial redress and formal recognition without the retraumatising ordeal of lengthy legal proceedings.

“It is simply unacceptable that, three years on from IICSA’s final report, so little progress has been made to put these vital recommendations into action.”

Ongoing commitment to survivor support

Simpson Millar’s Abuse Claims Team continues to represent survivors of child sexual abuse nationwide, including those affected in educational settings, helping them to access specialist support, secure accountability and rebuild their lives - even where the abuse took place many years ago.