Butterstone boss’s ‘scapegoat’ claim

Inquiry reveals allegations against school staff

A chaotic chain of events led to the downfall of the New School Butterstone, an inquiry has found.

The seven-month probe revealed how allegations made against two members of staff – which were not immediately investigated by head teacher

Bill Colley – led to a breakdown in already fragile relationships and scuppered a takeover deal that could have saved the Dunkeld school from closure.

The independent school closed in November 2018, after just four days’ warning.

Education Secretary John Swinney announced a review, led by James Martin, to explore the circumstances around the closure.

Mr Colley has described the inquiry as a “whitewash” and said he has been cast as a scapegoat by organisations which had a financial interest in having the school shut, but Mr Martin has rejected allegations of a conspiracy.

Allegations of assault, concerns about child protection and spiralling money problems led to the shock closure of a special needs school in Perthshire, an independent inquiry has ruled.

The New School Butterstone, near Dunkeld, shut with just a few days’ warning in November 2018, after a potential buyer pulled out.

All 24 students suddenly found themselves without an education, while more than 50 people lost their jobs.

A Scottish Government-backed probe has found the Witherslack Group abandoned its takeover bid after losing confidence in senior staff following a catastrophic chain of events that began with allegations against two employees.

James Martin was appointed by Education Secretary John Swinney to lead the seven-month review.

After sifting through 900 pieces of evidence, including interviews with staff, parents, pupils and organisations, he said the deciding factor was the withdrawal of the Witherslack Group, which had been effectively underpinning the school’s finances.

He has urged other independent schools to learn from mistakes made at Butterstone.

But Mr Martin dismissed allegations of a conspiracy, involving Perth and Kinross Council and the Care Inspectorate, to have the school shut down.

The report highlighted a “toxicity” between senior school staff and the council which, in an unprecedented move, led to recommendations for relationship-healing mediation sessions.

Mr Swinney said: “The school’s abrupt closure was deeply regrettable and had a significant impact on pupils, families and staff.

“The review finds that child protection policies at the school were not enforced, the board’s understanding of their role was insufficient and that concerns around safeguarding were not properly investigated, which was compounded by poor working relationships.”

He said: “There are a number of recommendations for the public bodies involved which I would urge those organisations to reflect upon.

“These include the production of new guidance for independent schools and parents, as well as the importance of boards giving families and pupils sufficient notice when a school has to unavoidably close.

“We will work closely with all the relevant public bodies to consider carefully how to implement these actions and enhance future practice.”

The inquiry found that, towards the end of 2018, a letter to head teacher Bill Colley from a member of staff had a significant impact on the school’s fate.

The note alleged that a member of staff had struck two youngsters on the arms with a book and, in a separate incident, another member of staff put their hands around a student’s neck.

Mr Colley did not immediately investigate and four weeks later the same complaints were made to the Care Inspectorate.

The matter was also raised to the council and then to Police Scotland, who agreed to interview the pupils.

While a criminal investigation was dropped, there remained concerns that the matter had not been followed-up by Mr Colley as a matter of urgency.

Mr Colley told the inquiry he did not see the allegations made in the letter as a child protection matter, but rather an issue of poor practice.

Witherslack was asked to investigate and Mr Colley was suspended.

Mr Martin said: “The actions, and inaction, have generated a great deal of controversy and strong feeling, which still persists.”

He found that Witherslack withdraw its business transfer agreement after losing faith in senior staff.

In the end, Witherslack recommended to the board “that the school be closed as quickly as achievable in an orderly manner”.

Mr Colley had also recommended to the board that the school should be closed. He wrote: “The regulatory authorities do not wish us to exist and will do all that they can to undermine the important role that we play.”

Mr Martin said: “I am clear that the decision to close the school became inevitable because of the financial decision it found itself in.

“To the extent that Witherslack’s decision was impacted by the safeguarding incident is more difficult to say.

“I am certain that, of the issues weighed up by Witherslack in making their decision to withdraw, their doubts about the head of school’s leadership was an important factor.”

He said: “Witherslack assert that these doubts were confirmed by the head of school’s handling of this affair.”

In a statement the school board said it was grateful to Mr Martin for his “comprehensive and detailed” review.

A spokeswoman said: “In the aftermath of the closure and the circumstances that precipitated it, lessons must be learned, and the needs of these children recognised.

“It is incumbent on the Scottish Government to ensure that they have the support and education that will enable them to flourish and to maximise their potential.”

The actions, and inaction, have generated a great deal of controversy and strong feeling, which still persists. JAMES MARTIN