Top Scots school in ‘serious bullying’ claims

INSPECTORS were sent into a top Scots private school following allegations of serious bullying, a Green MSP has claimed.

George Watson’s College came under scrutiny earlier this year for its handling of a case which left a pupil with ‘lifelong injuries’, Andy Wightman told the Scottish parliament.

He said ministers have now imposed conditions on the running of the Edinburgh school on the grounds that ‘the welfare of a pupil attending the school i s not adequately safeguarded and promoted there’.

Mr Wightman, who raised the case during a parliamentary debate on bullying, said it highlighted the need for anti-bullying measures and monitoring to apply to all schools, including the private sector.

Documents published by the Lothians MSP reveal a special inspection took place at George Watson’s in September. It was requested by ministers after they received representations from the parents of a former pupil about various concerns relating to the running of the school and allegations that it failed effectively to safeguard the pupil’s welfare.

The parents said their child experienced

‘Find out as a matter of urgency’

‘sustained bullying without appropriate action or recognition from the school’, and alleged ‘poor handling of complaints and a culture of covering up’.

Ministers concluded in October that the school, which is administered by the Merchant Company of Edinburgh, was ‘at risk of becoming objectionable’, allowing them to impose conditions on how it is run.

These include the implementation of a new complaints handling policy, which should be published and communicated to parents.

Mr Wightman said: ‘I do not know whether the governance failures identified at George Watson’s College are an isolated incident within the Merchant Company of Edinburgh schools or within private schools more generally, but we need to find out as a matter of urgency.

‘Anti-bullying measures – whether statutory or in the form of guidance – should apply equally to all schools, including private schools, as children’s human rights are universal and indivisible.’

No one from George Watson’s College was available for comment last night.