A dozen former Brighton Grammar students have come forward to Arnold Thomas & Becker alleging historic sexual and physical abuse that occurred at the school between the 1960s and 1980s.

Arnold Thomas & Becker lawyer Angela Di Carluccio said the influx of witnesses and victims shows evidence of a “serious culture problem” at the time at the school.

“All of these allegations appear to show that the culture at Brighton Grammar School was rife with violence and excessive physical punishment,” she said.

“The fact that the principal was a main perpetrator of this abuse is a clear indication that he made no effort to ensure a culture that prioritised the safety of children.

“It was well known among students that some teachers and the principal of the school were abusive, and there was no mechanism to report such abuse.”