Top school calls cops over pupils’ anarchic antics at end of term
Rowdy songs, cigs, booze... and a rude inf latable
PUPILS at Scotland’s leading state school have had their prom cancelled after riotous end-of-term behaviour sparked chaos and calls to police.
Around 50 sixth-year pupils at Jordanhill School in Glasgow behaved in a ‘deeply inappropriate and upsetting manner’ last week.
In a letter to parents, the school said flares were let off, with some thrown into the school, while condoms and a plastic bag which had been urinated into were left on grass.
A banner with a ‘deeply offensive’ comment was erected at the school, and pornographic images were pinned to a fence and scattered around the sports pitches.
When challenged by staff, the group moved to a nearby roundabout and began chanting ‘inappropriate songs and shouting into a megaphone’.
Last week, the headteacher at Westhill Academy, in Aberdeenshire, wrote to senior pupils to warn that future employers and police would be contacted if they took part in disruptive behaviour on their last day.
More than two-thirds of pupils at Jordanhill live in Glasgow’s most affluent neighbourhoods. The school is uniquely funded directly by the Scottish Government and not via the local authority.
Competition for places is notoriously fierce and the school was named the top performer in Scotland outside the independent sector by this year’s Sunday Times Schools Guide.
Jordanhill rector John Anderson wrote to parents: ‘When staff went to challenge the group, they moved and stood on the roundabout at the entrance to the college grounds, chanting inappropriate songs, throwing eggs, drinking alcohol and smoking.
‘Amidst this, several glass bottles were broken which added to a threatening atmosphere for any passers-by. The situation was suitably threatening that a staff member called the police and reported the situation.
‘Despite the repeated and clear instruction to keep away from the school, the large group returned to the front entrance and continued to throw eggs toward the school and display a large, obscene inflatable.’
The school said it had now made the decision to cancel a prom which was due to be held at luxury Mar Hall, Renfrewshire.
In his letter, Mr Anderson added: ‘It was made clear to the entire S6 year group that the prom was conditional on a positive end-ofterm celebration.
‘Our decision, therefore, is partly to reinforce that actions have consequences but also that sadly we cannot trust pupils not to repeat these actions when they are gathered as a group.
‘On a more practical level, the prom relies on staff volunteering to supervise and we have received indications that many staff are no longer willing to attend, which is entirely understandable given the disruption caused and lack of concern shown to staff.’
The school said it had taken time to talk with the S6 pupils about leavers’ day concerns through an S6 assembly, regular meetings with the school captains, and an email to all S6 parents.
Jordanhill’s motto is Ad Summa Nitor, which translates as Strive for the Highest. A spokesman for the school said last night: ‘We will work with our young people to promote positive relationships both in school and in the community.’
‘The group of 50 pupils continued to throw eggs’