Teachers at dozens of leading public schools, including Eton and Marlborough, 'implicated in child sex abuse cases'

Teachers at 62 independent schools convicted of sex crimes over 20 years

C rimes range from indecent assault to gross indecency against 277 boys

In some cases, schools wher e teachers abused boys can't be named

Prosecutions against independent school teachers for sex crimes have soared as victims come forward to report historic allegations.

One or more men employed at 62 leading institutions – including many top boys’ public schools such as Haberdashers’ Aske’s, Wellington College and Ampleforth – have been convicted of abusing children over the past 20 years.

Of these, 18 came to court during the past two years. Cases involving teachers at four more schools are awaiting trial.

Teachers at 130 leading public schools - including Marlborough and Eton (pictured) - have reportedly been implicated in child sex abuse cases, it has been revealed today (stock picture)

Ampleforth school has also been implicated in the figures, uncovered by the Times

In all, 277 boys suffered abuse including indecent assault and gross indecency.

Eton and Marlborough are among 30 schools where a male staff member has been convicted for possession of child porn.

Another 36 have had their reputations tarnished by ongoing investigations, cases involving arrests but no charges, civil action for damages and staff abusing children who were not pupils.

This means 128 schools, where annual boarding fees average £27,000, have been tainted by the scandal.

Experts believe growing awareness of such offences – following scandals involving the Catholic church and the unearthing of Jimmy Savile’s predatory offending – has encouraged more victims to come forward. Others claim the culture of emotional restraint which meant many victims suffered in silence is outdated.

Around 6.5 per cent of British children are educated in the independent sector. A third of boarding school places are taken by 25,400 foreign children.

Marlborough College, Wiltshire, is among 20 other schools where a male teacher has been convicted of possessing child abuse images

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood said it had received calls from ‘many dozens’ of former public schoolboys who were often ‘brainwashed’ at school into thinking they shouldn’t complain.

Keir Starmer QC, the director of public prosecutions until last year, said the scale of the problem supported the case for schools to be required by law to report allegations of abuse.

He added: ‘During the past 18 months we spread the message that those who report such crimes will be listened to by police and prosecutors. I sense people today feel they will be taken more seriously.’

Richard Scorer, a partner at Pannone Solicitors who represents more than 20 sex abuse victims among former independent school pupils, said the Savile revelations had made talking about sex offences against children ‘more socially respectable’.

The Independent Schools Council, which represents more than half of the UK’s 2,413 fee-paying schools, said: ‘The abuse of trust by a very small number of predatory individuals is a matter of the very deepest regret.