An immediate review into sexual abuse in schools has been announced by the Department for Education.
Ofsted will look at safeguarding policies in state and independent schools, "the extent and the severity of the issue" and ensure there are appropriate systems in place to allow pupils to report their concerns.
The DfE said the review will also look at ensuring there is enough guidance on how schools should deal with sexual harassment and violence allegations, and whether current school inspection systems are strong enough to address any concerns.
A new helpline to support potential victims of sexual harassment and abuse in schools, run by the NSPCC, will go live on Thursday, the DfE said.
The announcement comes after more than 10,000 anonymous testimonials of sexual harassment and abuse were submitted to the website Everyone's Invited.
Meanwhile, the NSPCC will set up a dedicated helpline to provide support to victims. The dedicated phoneline will go live on Thursday.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "Sexual abuse in any form is abhorrent and it is vital that these allegations are dealt with properly. While the majority of schools take their safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously, I am determined to make sure the right resources and processes are in place across the education system to support any victims of abuse to come forward.
"This Government is committed to ensuring victims feel supported to refer the most serious allegations to the police via the helpline, safe in the knowledge that everything possible will be done to bring offenders to justice.
"No child or young person should have to experience abuse. But if something isn't right, they should speak to someone they trust to raise concerns, whether that's family, a friend, teacher or social worker, helpline or the police."
Earlier this week Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), said “further work needs to be done” to address reports of sexual offences in schools and across wider society.
His comments followed a series of allegations of a “rape culture” at a number of independent schools.
Police have suggested some schools may have covered up sexual offences to protect their reputation.
