The report from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse said that "for some children, their residential school, in effect, may be their home".

The inquiry examined residential specialist music schools and residential special schools, where children were found to be at greater risk of sexual abuse.

The report said: "In the specialist music schools examined, the power and influence of often revered and influential music teachers made some pupils even more vulnerable to being sexually abused by them.

"The reputations of both the musicians and the schools were often seen as more important than their victims and potential victims when allegations were made or concerns were raised.

"The response was similar when concerns were raised about well-liked and generally respected members of staff in other school contexts, in both the independent and state sectors."

The inquiry also looked at day schools where staff had been convicted of sexually abusing pupils, or where serious safeguarding concerns had arisen.

The first phase of the inquiry focused on residential music schools including Chetham's School in Manchester, the Yehudi Menuhin School in Surrey, and the Purcell School in Hertfordshire - with public hearings held in 2019.

Residential special schools were also examined, including Appletree School in Cumbria, Southlands School in Hampshire, and the Royal School Manchester.

School reputations prioritised as 'more important' than victims

The second phase involved mainstream schools where sexual abuse allegations had been raised, including a state school and a private boarding school.

The allegations were largely reported and investigated or responded to between 1990 and 2017, and related to incidents alleged to have taken place from the 1960s to 2014.

"In the specialist music schools examined, the power and influence of often revered and influential music teachers made some pupils even more vulnerable to being sexually abused by them," the report said.

"The reputations of both the musicians and the schools were often seen as more important than their victims and potential victims when allegations were made or concerns were raised.

"The response was similar when concerns were raised about well-liked and generally respected members of staff in other school contexts, in both the independent and state sectors."

A reluctance to report sexual abuse perpetrated by staff and pupils was discovered across 12 schools, including eight that no longer operate.

Ineffective safeguarding of schools

The inquiry was told of ineffective safeguarding in schools over the past two decades, with some testimony indicating that "sexual abuse and harassment between peers remain endemic" for some children.

It heard that at Chetham's School, former director of music Michael Brewer was "a powerful figure, having complete autonomy over all matters relating to music".

In 2013, former pupil Frances Andrade took her own life after giving evidence on how Brewer had groomed and sexually abused her.

It also heard that a violin teacher at Chetham, Christopher Ling, abused a number of pupils in his care in the 1980s aged between nine and 15.

The report made several recommendations to improve safeguarding in schools, including:

• Setting nationally accredited standards and levels of safeguarding training in schools

• Making the highest level of safeguarding mandatory for headteachers and designated safeguarding leads in England and Wales

•Reintroducing a duty for boarding schools and residential special schools to inform relevant inspectorates of allegations of child sexual abuse and other serious incidents

Inquiry chair Professor Alexis Jay said the findings "represent the opposite of everything that a school should be".

She added: "This must change. The seven recommendations in this report must be implemented to vitally improve the current systems of child protection in schools."