Between 1968 and 1991, pupils at Berrow Wood School in Worcestershire were subjected to widespread physical and sexual abuse by staff members. The abuse has since led to the conviction of nine former teachers and workers.

What happened at Berrow Wood School?

Berrow Wood School was established in 1966 as a residential school for boys. Instead of receiving the care and education they were promised, many pupils were subjected to horrific abuse by the very people responsible for protecting them.

The abuse was physical, sexual, and emotional. Survivors have described experiences including:

• Being pinned against walls and strangled
• Sexual assaults and a campaign of rape against children
• Being dehumanised and referred to only by their laundry number rather than by name

In the 1990s, school owners Ron Morris and Alan Gorton, along with headmaster Philip Gray, were convicted of offences including actual bodily harm, common assault, and cruelty.

Further convictions followed in 2013, when Keith Figes and Maurice Lambell were jailed, with the judge describing the abuse as a “campaign of rape against children”. David Laughton, Peter Larner, and Peter Gordon were also convicted of assaulting pupils.

A call for redress and accountability

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) recommended a redress scheme to provide financial compensation and recognition for survivors. However, there are ongoing concerns that such a scheme may not be delivered.

The BBC has reported that the City of Wolverhampton Council is reviewing historic records, but survivors continue to wait for meaningful action.

For many, justice is not just about convictions – it is about recognition, apology, and the compensation needed to rebuild lives. Survivors of abuse deserve access to therapy, financial support, and the means to improve their quality of life.

Taking legal action for school abuse

If you or someone you know experienced abuse at Berrow Wood School, or at another private or residential school, you may be entitled to compensation.

At Switalskis, our specialist team of abuse lawyers has decades of experience representing survivors of abuse in schools, youth organisations, and other institutions. We understand the emotional impact these cases carry and approach every case with sensitivity and determination.

We can help you:

• Bring a private school abuse compensation claim
• Secure damages to support therapy and recovery
• Hold institutions and individuals accountable for their failures

Speak to our private school abuse solicitors

You are not alone. If you experienced abuse in a private school setting and want to explore your legal options, our team is here to listen and help you take the next step.

All enquiries are treated with compassion and in complete confidence.

If you have been affected by abuse at school, please contact our specialist child abuse solicitors in confidence. Call 0800 138 0458 or email help@switalskis.com.