Condition E6: Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
30 June 2025 2026-08-11 10:13Condition E6: Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
Condition E6: Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
Our single comprehensive source of information on preventing, reporting and responding to harassment and sexual misconduct.
Last updated: 10 August 2026Single Comprehensive Source of Information
Caspian School of Academics (CSA) is committed to fostering a safe and respectful environment for students, staff, visitors and contractors. To comply with the Office for Students (OfS) Condition E6 on harassment and sexual misconduct, this webpage summarises the School's policies, procedures, reporting guidance and available support.
This information is also available through the School's virtual learning environment, Moodle. Together, these pages form the Single Comprehensive Source of Information required by OfS registration Condition E6.
What are harassment and sexual misconduct?
Understanding the terms helps our community recognise unacceptable behaviour and know when to seek help or make a report.
Harassment
As defined under Section 26 of the Equality Act 2010, unlawful harassment is unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that has the purpose or effect of violating a person's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. The effect of the conduct, rather than only the intention behind it, is central to deciding whether harassment has occurred. A single event or a series of incidents may constitute harassment.
Unlawful harassment may involve conduct of a sexual nature, or conduct related to protected characteristics linked to age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief.
Sexual misconduct
Sexual misconduct is unacceptable behaviour of a sexual nature. It can include sexual harassment, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, grooming, coercion or bullying with sexual elements, sexual invitations or demands, comments, non-verbal communication, the creation of an atmosphere of discomfort, and promised resources, favours, benefits or advancement in exchange for sexual access.
Sexual misconduct raises particular concerns about unequal relationships, consent and barriers to equal access to education, opportunities and career progression.
- Sexual harassment as defined by Section 26(2) of the Equality Act 2010.
- Harassment as defined by Section 1 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
- Assault and rape as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
- Physical unwanted sexual advances as set out in the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Sexual harassment and the law (2017).
- Intimidation or promising resources or benefits in return for sexual favours, as set out in the same EHRC guidance.
- Distributing private and explicit images or video footage of an individual without consent, as defined by the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.
Further definitions
Full definitions of harassment and sexual misconduct are provided in the School's Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Condition E6 Policy and the Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy.
How CSA works to prevent harm and respond to concerns
Preventative measures
CSA gathers and reviews internal and external information to strengthen the protection of students and reduce the risk of harassment, sexual misconduct and abuse of power. Our actions include:
- Student consultation: engagement through forums and the Student Committee to test whether policies are appropriate and understood.
- Data review: consideration of external evidence, including the National Student Survey's Sexual Misconduct Survey, published information about the nature and frequency of threats, and reporting strategies.
- Policy updates: regular review and adjustment of policies and processes to improve clarity, effectiveness and compliance with Condition E6. Previous versions may be requested from info@caspianschool.ac.uk.
Reporting an incident
Students and staff can report or disclose bullying, harassment, discrimination, hate crime or sexual misconduct. You may report something you experienced or witnessed, with your name or anonymously.
- Online: use the forms on this page or email incident@caspianschool.ac.uk.
- In person: speak to an Incident Advisor in the Student Support and Safeguarding Team, or ask your tutor to help you contact an appropriate advisor.
Support for those affected
The School offers support to students affected by harassment or sexual misconduct through:
- Counselling guidance: contact the Student Services Team at studentservices@caspianschool.ac.uk for advice about in-person or online counselling and, where appropriate, specialist local support.
- Online support: requests sent to incident@caspianschool.ac.uk are checked daily. The student will be contacted within 24 hours.
- Academic support: support may include access to the exceptional circumstances process under the School's Extenuating Circumstances and Reasonable Adjustments Policy.
Students facing allegations under the Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy will be given a named member of staff whom they can contact for support.
Information handling and investigation
Reports are handled sensitively, with fairness, appropriate confidentiality and regard for data protection obligations.
Confidentiality and information handling
Protecting confidentiality is central to creating a culture in which people feel safe to disclose harassment or sexual misconduct. The School takes reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality and privacy of those who make a disclosure.
There may be circumstances, including where an individual is at risk, in which the School must share information internally or with another agency. The Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy explains how information may be used and shared.
Investigation process
CSA's investigation procedures are designed to be credible, fair and consistent with established principles of natural justice.
- The policy defines harassment and sexual misconduct and explains the School's approach to prevention and response.
- The relevant procedures explain how concerns involving a student, member of staff or third party will be investigated.
- The procedures set out expected timescales, decision-making arrangements and available appeal mechanisms.
Training, professional boundaries and transparency
CSA supports prevention through education, clear expectations and accessible information.
Training and awareness
Students receive information during induction on recognising harassment and sexual misconduct and how to report it. Continuing students who have not previously received training can access an online module.
Staff undertake safeguarding training and training on harassment and sexual misconduct. Staff involved in reports and investigations receive additional specialist training.
Intimate personal relationships
CSA has policies intended to protect students from conflicts of interest and abuse of power. Intimate relationships between relevant staff and students are prohibited, subject to the exceptions stated in the applicable policy for certain pre-existing relationships.
Staff must disclose intimate personal relationships with students in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Staff and Governors.
NDAs and accessibility
CSA does not use and has never used non-disclosure agreements in relation to complaints of harassment, sexual misconduct or other forms of abuse.
The School publishes this information on its website and Moodle, communicates it to staff and students at least annually, includes it in key documents and maintains transparency about content changes and previous policy versions.
Key policies
These documents govern the School's expectations, responsibilities and processes relating to harassment and sexual misconduct.
Incident reporting forms
Choose the form that best matches the concern or incident you need to report.
Harassment, bullying or sexual misconduct incident reportUse this form to report bullying, harassment, discrimination, hate crime or sexual misconduct.
Behaviour incident formFor a possible disciplinary incident involving one or more students.
Would you prefer to email us directly?
The incident team will be ready to help. Messages sent to the reporting inbox are checked daily.
