School head was subject of probe

BUTTERSTONE: ‘Devastated’ parents rally round teacher

A celebrated school for children with additional support needs was the subject of an official investigation in the days leading up to the shock announcement it is to close at the end of this week.

The head teacher at the New School at Butterstone, Bill Colley, was suspended after a joint investigation from government agencies Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate, which were responding to a complaint alleging “significant concerns about how children are protected from harm.”

The school’s board of governors sent an email to parents and carers on Monday saying the school will close on Friday (November 23), adding it was “financially unviable”.

“Devastated” parents rallied round Mr Colley and the school staff yesterday, launching a petition with more than 1,000 signatures in a bid to save it, while officials scrambled to find alternative arrangements for the 24 pupils who have lost their hard-won places at the institution.

Parent Susan Briggs, 40, of Stanley, said: “That school has done wonders. They have managed to turn my son’s life around.”

The head teacher of a Perthshire school for children with additional support needs was suspended from duty shortly before parents were told it was to close.

Parents whose youngsters go to the New School at Butterstone were “devastated” to discover on Monday that it was to close its doors on Friday and have set up a petition – with more than 1,200 signatures and counting – in an attempt to save it.

It has now emerged that head teacher Bill Colley was suspended on Wednesday November 7 after Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate investigated a complaint that “raised significant concerns about how children are protected from harm”.

Meanwhile, sources said Mr Colley’s suspension was in response to “failing to report a very minor matter” and that the “bureaucratic nonsense” had left the school – which received a glowing report from the Care Inspectorate in 2017 – with no option but to close.

Parents said the decision by the board of governors means the 24 pupils – who have a range of complicated needs including autism, ADHD and Tourette’s syndrome – have been left with “nowhere to go”.

Inspectors received a complaint earlier this month regarding leadership at the school and its ability to follow child protection policies and procedures.

The Care Inspectorate issued the school with an improvement notice on Friday November 9, but a spokesperson said inspectors were satisfied that immediate concerns had been dealt with and “there was sufficient support to improve practice at the school”.

Susan Briggs, 40, Stanley, said her 14-year-old-son had failed to thrive prior to joining the Dunkeld school.

She said: “That school has done wonders. They have managed to turn my son’s life around.”

In a joint statement, a spokesman from the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland said they had investigated a complaint, had issued a notice to improve, but had been satisfied the correct steps were being taken at the school.

“The board of the school have now informed us that their decision is to close the school from Friday, 23 November.”

He added: “The local authorities, together with Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate, are working closely to ensure there are appropriate and carefully considered plans for each of the young people at the school.”

Sir Andrew Cubie, chairman of the school’s board of governors, said the school was left with no option but to close as it did not “have the funding or resourcing to meet the improvements and actions within the timeframe required by statutory bodies”.

“The board and management team have always been conscious of, and prioritised, our obligations in relation to pupils’ safety and have always worked closely with regulatory bodies to ensure this,” he said.

“Our focus on, and success in, providing a safe and nurturing environment is clearly evidenced by the feedback and commentary from parents of pupils at our school and the successes of our pupils.”

He said he would not comment on Mr Colley’s suspension as it was an internal staffing matter.

A spokeswoman for Perth and Kinross council said its focus was on supporting the school’s 13 local pupils.

“We have contacted all the families concerned and will be working with parents and pupils to review their individual needs and understand the best alternative option for them,” she added.

Mr Colley declined to comment.

That school has done wonders. They have managed to turn my son’s life around. SUSAN BRIGGS