SEXUAL harassment and sexism is “rife” in schools, with support staff complaining of physical advances and lewd remarks, a new report has revealed.

Unison said its study shows that one in 10 female support workers in secondary schools have told of being sexually harassed, mainly by male pupils but also by male colleagues.

The responses came from more than 2,000 employees across the UK, working mostly in primary and secondary education and including teaching assistants, technicians, lunchtime supervisors and administrators.