Police are investigating an allegation of sexual assault at the prestigious private school attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales's three children, The Mail on Sunday can exclusively reveal.
Officers launched a probe after it was alleged that two children at Lambrook School in Berkshire molested another pupil during a school trip.
The MoS understands the parents of the alleged victim are furious at the way the school, where fees are almost £30,000 a year, has dealt with the alleged incident, and have told friends their ‘distressed' child no longer feels safe there.
A friend of the couple said: ‘What has happened is outrageous, unacceptable and disgusting. School was the child's happy place and the parents just want everybody to be held accountable.'
Patrick Burrowes, chairman of the governors, has ordered an independent investigation into the way the school handled the issue after the child's parents complained that the two pupils who allegedly attacked their child have not been suspended.
The extraordinary developments throw a spotlight on one of the top private schools in the UK.
Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, ten, and Prince Louis, seven, have attended Lambrook, a co-educational preparatory school near Ascot, since September 2022. The royal children are not connected to the alleged assault and it is not thought that William and Kate are aware of it.
Officers launched a probe after it was alleged that two children at Lambrook School in Berkshire (pictured) molested another pupil during a school trip
Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, ten, and Prince Louis, seven, have attended Lambrook, a co-educational preparatory school near Ascot, since September 2022. The royal children are not connected to the alleged assault and it is not thought that William and Kate are aware of it. Pictured: In October 2023
The MoS understands the pupils were on a school trip when the alleged sex attack took place. The MoS is not detailing the age or sex of any of the children to protect their identities.
It is believed the alleged incident only came to light some time later when another pupil told their parents, who informed teachers. A senior teacher then called the alleged victim's parents to tell them of the claims. It is understood that when they asked their child what happened they became deeply upset. The parents met the school's headteacher Jonathan Perry the next day and were told the school was investigating.
But the next morning the child provided a more detailed account of the alleged incident and the parents immediately demanded a second meeting, which was attended by Mr Perry and the school's head of pastoral care.
Sources claim the parents voiced their anger that the two alleged perpetrators had apparently not been spoken to, and that neither social services nor the police were involved. A friend of the couple said: ‘The father said, "You have to deal with it. This is your choice right now: lift up the phone and call the police or I will do it".'
It is understood the school called the police after the meeting, who within hours contacted the parents. Sources say a police officer has spoken to the child.
Last night a police spokesman said it ‘is investigating an allegation of sexual assault by touching following a report of a child safeguarding matter which was received from a school in Berkshire'.
The MoS understands the parents of the alleged victim are furious at the way the school, where fees are almost £30,000 a year, has dealt with the alleged incident, and have told friends their ‘distressed' child no longer feels safe there
Patrick Burrowes, chairman of the governors, has ordered an independent investigation into the way the school handled the issue after the child's parents complained that the two pupils who allegedly attacked their child have not been suspended
The alleged victim's parents, however, remain furious that Mr Perry has refused to suspend the two alleged perpetrators. The school drew up a risk assessment which included a series of measures designed to keep the three pupils separate, including close monitoring during break times and sports lessons. Mr Perry is said to have tried to reassure the parents that Lambrook was able to safely educate all three children.
The MoS, however, understands the alleged victim's parents feel the risk assessment was ‘completely inadequate' and have not signed it. The couple have told friends their child no longer feels safe at Lambrook, which is causing them ‘considerable distress and anxiety'. They are looking for an alternative school, and are said to be considering suing Lambrook for negligence and safeguarding failures.
The parents of the alleged victim are also understood to have complained, and demanded the suspension of Mr Perry over the way he has handled the incident.
It is understood Mr Burrowes has appointed a university academic to investigate the complaint. This school is said to believe that claims it has not dealt with the matter properly or appropriately are false.
In a statement, a spokesman for the school said: ‘The authorities are investigating an alleged incident between pupils who attend Lambrook School.
‘It would not be appropriate to comment in any detail, but we are doing everything possible to support the pupils during this process and are working carefully with the relevant authorities.
‘We take the safety, security and wellbeing of all of our pupils extremely seriously and we followed robust and effective policies and procedures whilst carefully respecting due process.'