b'SafeguardingAny parent preparing to entrust their child to a schoolwhether day or boardingwill rightly expect that childs safety and well-being to be a priority at all times. Such expectations are nearly always fullled but in a sad minority of cases that is not what happens. We have all read news reports of bullying and abuse and shuddered to imagine the horror felt by the children and families involved. A ood of historical allegations against schools and subsequent court cases, not to mention mobile phones, exi-boarding, more parental involvement and heightened awareness have together helped usher in some sunlight and fresh air. Safeguarding policies, found on every school website, now make explicit reference to the possibility of abuse at schoolssomething rarely contemplated a generation ago. Boarding schools in particular can be very closed worlds but abuse can occur at any school, anywhere. Fame is no protection, and nor is obscurity. Some kinds of school, though, need to take particular careand how they do this should be obvious to you when you visit. International schools have transient pupil populations, and teachers whose histories may be overseas and hard to research. Specialist music teaching necessarily involves a good deal of physical contact with the teacher and the pupil alone in a closed room. Religious schools may have a system of authority that serves to keep abuse concealed. Special schools may have to deal with a large range of communication and emotional difculties. What can you do?Parents should talk to their childrengently but seriouslyabout the dangers, however remote these may be. It is worth pointing out that abuse can come from anyoneincluding a teacher or an adult they know well, or from 76'