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Michael Gove calls for investigation into suggestions Jimmy Savile may have abused children at the Sevenoaks School, in the town's High Street

00:00, 27 March 2014

updated: 14:42, 27 March 2014

Jimmy Savile may have abused children at a school in Kent.

Michael Gove, secretary of state for education, has called for an investigation into claims the predatory sex offender abused children at the Sevenoaks School, in the town’s High Street.

It is one of 21 schools and children's homes across England to be identified in a report made public by the government this morning.

Savile is believed to have visited the school in the 1970s.

Jimmy Savile in Kent in 1978
Jimmy Savile in Kent in 1978

A statement from Mr Gove said: "This information was uncovered as part of the document review process undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Service on behalf of the Department of Health.

"Having reviewed the information, I have decided that the Department for Education should pass the information to the appropriate organisations for further investigation.

"In most cases the work will be conducted by the relevant local authority; in others the relevant institution or a legacy organisation will take the lead."

As the school is independent it will be carried out the by the school’s governing body – not Kent County Council.

Savile's known offending spans the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

Jimmy Savile Picture courtesy of BBC Jim'll Fix It
Jimmy Savile Picture courtesy of BBC Jim'll Fix It

It was uncovered from a review by the Metropolitan Police and it is believed Savile abused more than 200 people over six decades.

The former BBC DJ and presenter died aged 84 in October 2011.

The sex abuse allegations came to light after his death.

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