Head: We work hard to a create a safe environment

Crieff High School’s headteacher has stressed the school takes allegations of discriminatory behaviour “very seriously”.

John Donnelly moved to provide the reassurance to pupils’ parents and carers in a letter sent out earlier this week.

It follows a series of powerful and emotive experiences being highlighted by fifth-year pupil Anna De Garis in an open letter in relation to alleged racism, sexism, sexual assault and harassment, homophobia and transphobia at the school following a survey of some of her peers.

An extract of Mr Donnelly’s letter, dated February 8 and seen by the Herald, states: “Following a recent pupil survey and a subsequent open letter from a young person at Crieff High School, I write to reassure you that any allegations of discriminatory behaviour are treated very seriously at Crieff High School and we work hard to create a safe environment for all our young people. Examples of discriminatory behaviour would include, but are not limited to, racism, sexism, misogyny, homophobia and transphobia.

“As a Senior Leadership Team, we have engaged with ‘Promoting race equality and anti-racist education’ guidance from Education Scotland and ‘Supporting transgender young people in schools: guidance for Scottish schools’ from the Scottish Government with a view to further developing the curriculum and learning experience at Crieff High School.

“During the month of February, young people are learning about the rights of the LGBT+ community. This is part of our journey towards Right Respecting Schools status where the rights of all young people are respected and valued.

“It continues to be the case at Crieff High School that our young people require our collective resolve in ensuring that they all feel safe, valued and recognised as the fantastic individuals that they are.

“In the meantime, I have asked our staff to continue to remain vigilant of discriminatory behaviours and to challenge these in the classroom and around our school.”

The letter concludes by asking parents to discuss the issue with their young person, adding that guidance staff will be available each lunchtime this week should anyone wish to “share their experiences or express their views.”

Councillor Peter Barrett is the equalities lead for the local authority. He told the Herald: “Anna De Garis’s letter and the survey responses from other school pupils make for sickening reading.

“We need to do more to tackle gender-based hate crime, misogyny, homophobia, racism and sexual violence.

“Anna’s letter and the pupils’ responses demonstrate how poisonous, degrading and oppressive hate speech is and it must not be tolerated.

“Anna’s letter serves to emphasise how urgently that response is needed and I will continue to pursue both that and how the investigation progresses.”

Cllr Caroline Shiers is convener of the local authority’s lifelong learning committee, which oversees the region’s schools. She said:“I thank Anna for sharing her powerful letter with staff. It certainly makes for concerning reading.

“I know that the anti-bullying strategy in Perth and Kinross is taken very seriously by all our schools and I would urge anyone with any concerns regarding bullying, in any way shape or form, to speak to their school in confidence and then action can, and will, be taken.”

Ochil and South Perthshire MP John Nicolson commented:“I am very disturbed to hear of the responses to this student survey. Schools should be a safe place for young people. Every school should have in place a nurturing, caring environment where pupils are free to be themselves, whatever their gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or race.”

A representative of Perthshire Pride offered the group’s support to Anna and her family, with a spokesperson posting on social media:“It’s people like Anna who call-out bigotry in all its forms that make the world a better place.”