Ex-head claims he has been made a scapegoat

Former head teacher Bill Colley said he had been made a scapegoat by the inquiry, and described the report as “an insult to the school community”.

He now wants a “credible” independent review into the school’s closure, stressing that – while child protection features heavily in Mr Martin’s written ruling – no pupil came to harm during his tenure at the school.

Mr Colley has insisted that as head teacher, he was not responsible for reporting child protection matters to either the Care Inspectorate or board of governors.

“I reject in its entirety the ‘independent review’ carried out by Mr James Martin,” he said.

“The report is no more than a shameful whitewash in which school managers are scapegoated to cover for failings elsewhere, and notably in the regulatory authorities and Perth and Kinross Council.”

He said: “The former parents and staff of the school have been badly let down and it is very clear that from the outset there was never any intention to address the legitimate concerns of our school community in such a way that would allow the truth to emerge.”

Mr Colley added: “As the head of school, I have been wrongly accused of failing to understand my safeguarding duties and not one piece of evidence has been presented to demonstrate that this was the case.

“Indeed, I do not recall discussing safeguarding with anyone who had an interest and had no reporting responsibilities throughout my time at the school.”

Mr Colley confirmed he was pursuing legal action against the Care Inspectorate. In its response to the review, a spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “We confirm that we will give full consideration to the recommendation suggested.”