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A wave of controversy has erupted after thousands of school governors across England were instructed to dismiss concerns about grooming gangs as “disinformation” during mandatory safeguarding training.
The training materials, recently revealed by a concerned parent who serves as a part-time school governor, presented various scenarios including one involving rumors about “men belonging to a particular religion” committing “violent crimes against women” in the local area. Participants were directed to identify this scenario as an “online safety risk” stemming from pupils spreading “disinformation.”
This guidance was delivered through GovernorHub, a third-party platform used by approximately two-thirds of schools across England, reaching thousands of volunteer education governors responsible for school oversight and safeguarding.
The timing of the revelation is particularly sensitive as the National Crime Agency is currently reviewing hundreds of previously closed investigations into group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) under Operation Beaconport. This review covers cases where police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service took no further action against suspects between January 2010 and March 2025.
Chris Philp, Conservative MP and shadow home secretary, expressed outrage at the training content. “It is shocking that training for schools categorizes what sounds like a description of a rape gang as ‘disinformation’ or a ‘conspiracy theory,'” Philp stated. “We now know that the majority of rape gang perpetrators were of Pakistani origin. Claiming this is ‘disinformation’ is exactly how the rape gang scandal was covered up in the first place.”
The parent who exposed the materials was similarly disturbed, saying: “For governors to be trained to behave in a way that would enable further such abuse is sickening and highlights the casual attitude so many still have towards these evil crimes.”
The specific scenario in question asked governors how to respond when “a staff governor reports overhearing pupils in her class talking about a video they were sent, falsely claiming that men belonging to a particular religion are using new tactics to commit violent crimes against women in your local area.” The materials characterized this as misinformation that should be addressed as an online safety concern.
The revelation comes against the backdrop of the 2022 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), which recommended mandatory safeguarding courses for all governors. This recommendation followed disturbing findings that evidence of child abuse had been routinely ignored for decades by schools, councils, and police across multiple jurisdictions in England.
Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham—an area severely affected by historical grooming gang scandals—told GB News: “Let us never forget that at the heart of every case the police or CPS decided not to pursue, there is a child horribly exploited and abused—and a perpetrator who got away with it.” Champion added that reported cases likely represent “just the tip of a very dark iceberg,” as many victims either don’t report abuse or aren’t taken seriously when they do.
Following the backlash, GovernorHub has removed the controversial scenario from its training materials. A spokesperson for the platform acknowledged the issue, stating: “The question was intended to test governors’ understanding of the difference between misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy theories, which the most recent update to Keeping Children Safe in Education requires.”
The spokesperson added: “We have recognized that the scenario included in this question was inappropriate because it made the question unclear and we are revising it this week.”
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions about how institutions address the sensitive issue of group-based child exploitation, particularly in light of past institutional failures where concerns were dismissed, leading to prolonged abuse in cities like Rotherham, Telford, and Rochdale.
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18 Comments
This is a very troubling development. Dismissing claims of child sexual exploitation as ‘disinformation’ is completely unacceptable and puts vulnerable children at risk. Governors must be able to respond appropriately to all such allegations.
Deeply concerning that governors are being told to ignore potential child abuse cases. Protecting children should be the top priority, not downplaying serious allegations. This guidance seems reckless and dangerous.
I agree, this is extremely worrying. Safeguarding children has to come before any political or ideological agenda. Governors need to be empowered to investigate thoroughly, not dismiss credible concerns.
Deeply concerning that governors are being told to ignore potential child abuse cases. Protecting children should be the top priority, not downplaying serious allegations. This guidance seems reckless and dangerous.
I agree, this is extremely worrying. Safeguarding children has to come before any political or ideological agenda. Governors need to be empowered to investigate thoroughly, not dismiss credible concerns.
Troubling if true. Governors need to be vigilant in identifying and addressing all potential threats to child safety, not dismissing valid concerns as ‘disinformation.’ The timing with the ongoing CSAE investigations is especially concerning.
Absolutely. This is a serious issue that requires careful, impartial investigation, not blanket denials. The well-being of children should come before political agendas.
Deeply concerning that governors are being told to ignore potential child abuse cases. Protecting children should be the top priority, not downplaying serious allegations. This guidance seems reckless and dangerous.
I agree, this is extremely worrying. Safeguarding children has to come before any political or ideological agenda. Governors need to be empowered to investigate thoroughly, not dismiss credible concerns.
This is very concerning. Dismissing credible concerns about child exploitation as ‘disinformation’ is highly irresponsible and dangerous. Governors should be empowered to take all allegations seriously and protect vulnerable children, not instructed to ignore them.
I agree, this guidance seems highly problematic. Safeguarding children should be the top priority, not suppressing information that makes authorities uncomfortable.
This is very alarming. Dismissing reports of child sexual exploitation as ‘disinformation’ is a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of vulnerable children. Governors must take all such allegations seriously and ensure proper follow-up and protection.
This is very concerning. Dismissing credible concerns about child exploitation as ‘disinformation’ is highly irresponsible and dangerous. Governors should be empowered to take all allegations seriously and protect vulnerable children, not instructed to ignore them.
I agree, this guidance seems highly problematic. Safeguarding children should be the top priority, not suppressing information that makes authorities uncomfortable.
Troubling if true. Governors need to be vigilant in identifying and addressing all potential threats to child safety, not dismissing valid concerns as ‘disinformation.’ The timing with the ongoing CSAE investigations is especially concerning.
Absolutely. This is a serious issue that requires careful, impartial investigation, not blanket denials. The well-being of children should come before political agendas.
This is very alarming. Dismissing reports of child sexual exploitation as ‘disinformation’ is a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of vulnerable children. Governors must take all such allegations seriously and ensure proper follow-up and protection.
This is very alarming. Dismissing reports of child sexual exploitation as ‘disinformation’ is a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of vulnerable children. Governors must take all such allegations seriously and ensure proper follow-up and protection.