The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Man threatens to sue in row over pupils list
Poster featuring names of former pupils was found after retirement party
A Dundee man says he is considering legal action after featuring in a list which has been perceived as allegedly naming a city school’s worst-ever pupils.
Dundee City Council denies the list identifies the worst-behaved pupils at Grove Academy, saying it merely names those who were given particular assistance by a retiring deputy head teacher during their tenure at the school.
However, when the list was posted on social media, many people claimed the list highlighted former pupils who were known for their poor conduct at school.
The names, written on individual Post-It notes, include a woman who is preparing to go on trial for murder. Also included are at least two people who have since died. Another note names an entire family.
One Facebook user who shared the image wrote: “Apparently this is Grove Academy’s worst pupils”, according to a certain teacher who will not be named.
“If your name made the list, congratulations.”
It is understood several people on the list, or parents of those named, have contacted the school to complain.
The poster was found by a cleaner after the teacher’s retirement party last week and who recognised some of the names. It was then posted online and has been shared dozens of times.
One mother stated in response: “Raging. My son’s on there! Not once did she or the school ever tell me he was a bad pupil.”
It was suggested online that the former deputy head teacher had reported the theft of the document to police. However, a spokesman for the force said no complaint has been received.
A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “At the private retiral function of a teacher who has served the school for many years, a large number of items of memorabilia were displayed to celebrate their career.
“One item, an untitled list of former pupils, was produced by the teacher to show individuals she felt she had made a difference to and supported during her time in the classroom and in the school in general.
“The list was only on display at a private function held outside of the school outwith school hours.
“It was not, at any time, shown anywhere in school in the view of current pupils.
“The school has been in contact with an outside company to inquire as to how the list from a private function was posted on social media.
“Senior school staff would like to reiterate that any former pupil mentioned on the list was there because it was felt that they had benefited from positive support whilst at Grove.”
One woman, whose husband’s name was included, said: “We are considering legal action.
“My husband is trying to start a business and now people will see his name on this list. What does it matter what he was like at school in the 1980s?
“I’m not sure she should have been teaching if she was keeping a list of names of pupils who misbehaved over four decades.”
However, one legal expert said it is unlikely a case against Dundee City Council would succeed.
Scott Milne from Thorntons said the list had been drawn up in private and found outwith school grounds so is unlikely to be regarded as the council’s responsibility.