THE CHAIRMAN of the inquiry into possible classroom violence and intimidation at a Dundee school has said objectivity is the top priority given the serious nature of the allegations.

An independent inquiry into the allegations has been set up and will begin its work immediately, with a preliminary meeting of the panel scheduled for this morning.

Chairing the inquiry is Sandy Watson, secretary of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Managers Scotland. He will be joined by independent councillor Ian Borthwick and moderator of Dundee Presbytery and church representative on the education committee James L. Wilson.

The inquiry will involve interviews with staff and parents of children at the school.

It is hoped the investigation will be completed in no more than eight weeks.

Mr Watson said, “I was approached recently to take this position and, given the remit that has been set out and given that this is to be a considered report and that the findings will be made public, I am more than comfortable taking on this task.

“This is a very serious task, and the council has a responsibility to the pupils, parents, staff and Sidlaw View School itself.”

Vic Ross, husband of Sidlaw View’s depute head who also blew the whistle on problems there, welcomed news of the investigation.

The row over Sidlaw View blew up when he raised concerns for wife Linda’s safety at the school, where she was appointed as deputy head teacher in April.

According to Mr Ross, staff are being attacked and threatened by pupils and parents on a daily basis.

After her husband made the allegations public, Mrs Ross was suspended from her post. Parents then set up a petition calling for her immediate reinstatement.

The inquiry will be specifically into Mr Ross’s allegations and, in setting up the investigation, the council is asking the panel to interview the couple and all other staff at the school.

In addition, it wants the panel to consult parents and involve pupils, where possible.

The tribunal is also being asked to talk to Tayside Police and to examine recent HMIE inspection reports and look at the progress made in implementing any recommendations.

The council will provide clerical and administrative support to the inquiry and will receive a copy of the draft report to check for factual inaccuracies.

Mr Watson added that in the interests of objectivity the findings of each stage of the investigation would not be presented to the public until all aspects of the inquiry are completed.

He said, “The priority here is to be objective, so we do not want to report findings at each stage of the inquiry but rather wait until we have brought all the findings together.

“This will avoid confusion throughout the inquiry.”