NSW inquiry urges enrolment restrictions at church-run school

A NSW parliamentary inquiry has recommended that Redeemer Baptist School in western Sydney be prevented from enrolling new students while it is investigated by the state's education regulator. The recommendation follows findings that the church-run school breached basic child-safeguarding standards.

The committee's report, tabled on Tuesday, found that sexual-assault allegations had not been handled appropriately and that children were placed at significant risk of harm. Former students and teachers had given evidence alleging several forms of abuse. The committee also raised concerns about workplace rights, governance and regulatory oversight.

The report called for NSW Police and the Office of the Children's published reporting to investigate allegations aired during the inquiry. Committee chair Abigail Boyd said earlier parliamentary scrutiny in 2006 had not been followed by adequate monitoring of what she described as a high-risk situation.

The school previously said it had fully cooperated with regulators, took child safety seriously and had a long record of regulatory compliance. It did not immediately provide a new response after the report's release. The enrolment restriction remains a committee recommendation, rather than a confirmed ban already imposed by the regulator.