My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (Ed Balls) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

On 24 March I welcomed Keeping our School Safe, Sir Roger Singleton’s review of safeguarding arrangements in independent schools, non-maintained special schools and boarding schools in England. His careful and thorough report showed that the current framework generally works well, but that there are elements that need to be reviewed and updated. Since the initial response was published we have considered each recommendation in more detail and consulted schools, Ofsted and the other independent school inspectorates about implementation arrangements. We are grateful for the assistance and support we have received from those organisations that represent schools covered by the review.

We have already accepted all the recommendations in the review, and our initial response set out the immediate steps we were taking to implement those things that could be done straightaway. Our more detailed response published today sets out specific timescales and steps that we will take to ensure that, over time, every recommendation is considered carefully and implemented in a way that realises safeguarding benefits without imposing undue complexity, cost and bureaucracy. We will continue to work closely with key stakeholders in implementing the plan, to ensure that the strengthened arrangements set out in the report are realised collaboratively and in a way that recognises the diversity of the independent school, non-maintained special school and boarding school sectors.

Copies of our detailed response have been laid in the House of Commons Library.