Four prestigious NSW schools sued over sex abuse

Four elite Sydney schools are being sued by former students who say they suffered sexual abuse during their time at the colleges.

Ten damages claims have been filed in the NSW Supreme Court against four schools - Knox Grammar, Waverley College, De La Salle College Revesby Heights and The Scots College, according to the former students' lawyer Ross Koffel.

Mr Koffel told AAP he is preparing two further claims and is investigating another eight potential cases.

He said the students involved were allegedly sexually abused by teachers on school grounds or during a school activity, and the schools are accused of failing in their duty of care to look after the students.

The amounts claimed range from the hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions, and the average age of the plaintiffs is around 40.

"It takes a very long time, particularly a male who was assaulted, to actually talk about it and come forward," he said.

Comment has been sought from the schools.