What did the Harvey Willgoose review conclude?

The review identified multiple safeguarding failures and issued 10 recommendations. It highlighted missed warnings, slow escalation, and weak oversight. Media reports point to serious incident patterns and gaps in follow-up. The findings aim to strengthen risk assessment, information sharing, and audit trails, with the Department for Education now reviewing and considering a formal response.

How could this affect school security spending in the UK?

We expect a near-term rise in spending on training, incident management systems, and selective on-site detection tools. Buyers will seek fast deployment, proof of impact, and reliable audit trails. Vendors offering integration with school records and clear outcomes should see more pilots and renewals, especially in higher-risk settings.

What is the risk for multi-academy trusts and insurers?

Liability risk may rise where oversight and documentation are weak. Insurers could tighten terms or raise premiums until controls improve. Trusts that can evidence staff training, fast escalation, and independent audits may limit claim severity. Strong governance and corrective action plans will be central to better pricing and renewal outcomes.

What should investors watch next?

Track the Department for Education response, any updates to national safeguarding guidance, and early procurement activity. Watch trust board papers for training completion, audit findings, and incident metrics. Also monitor insurer commentary on education portfolios. These signals will shape revenue visibility, loss ratios, and pricing power across the 2026 calendar.

Law and Government

Harvey Willgoose Review Puts School Safety Policy in Focus — February 03

ByDanny Kontos February 3, 2026

The Harvey Willgoose review puts school safeguarding in the UK under sharp focus. On 3 February, an independent panel confirmed multiple failures and issued 10 recommendations. The Department for Education is reviewing the findings. We think regulatory tightening could lift near-term school security spending and raise liability for multi-academy trusts. Investors in education services and insurers should assess exposure, pricing power, and compliance capabilities now as demand shifts toward training, record-sharing systems, and targeted on-site detection tools.