NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union and UK Feminista have formed a new partnership to research the extent and impact of sexism, sexual harassment, online misogyny and pornography on young people and their teachers.
 
The joint project follows NASUWT’s widely cited reports on the negative impact of misogynistic social media influencers on children and young people, and the recent launch of UK Feminista’s report: System Change: Why a whole school approach to preventing sexism and sexual harassment is needed – and how to make it work.  
 
This joint project will:
 

• Explore experiences of pupils and staff at schools and colleges across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland;
• Prioritise capturing intersectional experiences of pupils and staff, such as the specific experiences of sexism and sexual harassment faced by disabled or ethnically minoritised female staff and pupils;
• Uncover the impact of online misogyny and pornography in education settings;
• Make recommendations for both national policy and practise in schools.

 
NASUWT and UK Feminista expect to publish research findings and recommendations in 2027.
 
Matt Wrack, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said:
 
“Teaching is a predominantly female profession, and NASUWT is proud to partner with UK Feminista, a well-known feminist organisation, to look at sexism in schools.
 
“Teachers tell us that misogyny in classrooms has hit a four-year high, with almost a quarter (23.4%) of female teachers reporting that they have been subject to misogyny from a pupil in the last year. We know this is only the tip of the iceberg. There is an urgent need to not only understand the impact of sexism in schools but to offer real solutions that will improve the wellbeing of our teachers and pupils.
 
“Misogyny in classrooms leaves teachers feeling humiliated, violated and disempowered. Pupils suffer as a result. It’s time to put the brakes on systemic sexist behaviour in schools and use up-to-date, comprehensive research to map a positive way forward.”
 
Nina Humphries, Director of UK Feminista, said:
 
 “Sexual harassment and abuse are endemic in education settings across the UK, affecting both students and staff. At UK Feminista, we work to combat sexism and sexual harassment in schools and colleges by supporting them to implement a preventative whole school approach to secure lasting change.

“Research UK Feminista co-led in 2017 found that over a third of girls in mixed sex schools had experienced sexual harassment at school. Since then, concerns have grown about the influence of online misogyny and pornography in shaping attitudes and behaviours.

“This new research is a crucial opportunity to understand how far we have moved forwards – or backwards – since 2017, and to examine how specific groups, such as Black and ethnically minoritised girls, are uniquely affected. We are delighted to partner with NASUWT on this important project to produce the urgently needed evidence base that can drive effective policy and practice in the years ahead.”