A new report into claims of racism and sexual assault at Crieff High says inspectors did not find a “prevailing culture” of bullying at the school.
Pupil Anna De Garis published an open letter in February after her survey of 90 youngsters found three-quarters had witnessed incidents of bullying.
Her letter was supported by a former pupil at the school, who said she had experienced repeated sexual assaults while studying there that she was too terrified to report.
Following the letter, Perth and Kinross Council bosses ordered an investigation into the school and the allegations made by Anna and other youngsters.
Inspectors assigned by the council say they found cases where pupils had experienced racist, sexist, homophobic and transphobic language and behaviours within the school, but the report claims this is not widespread.
The report indicates some pupils feel unable to report these behaviours, either due to a lack of confidence that it will be resolved or because they fear repercussions.
However, Anna’s mum says teenagers who raised concerns have been “let down” by the report.
The investigating team – made up of the council’s own education officers, a head teacher from South Lanarkshire and an independent consultant – spent a week in the school, speaking with hundreds of pupils, parents and members of staff.
They claim to have found evidence of “positive relationships”, with the majority of pupils saying they have a sense of belonging and feeling safe.
Their report concludes that Crieff High School does not have a culture of discriminatory behaviours, but that a number of improvements are needed in policies and processes.
It also indicates some pupils feel unable to report these behaviours, either due to a lack of confidence that it will be resolved or because they fear repercussions.
The report said: “While there is evidence of a positive, supportive culture being experienced by most young people in the school, further work requires to be undertaken to ensure that all young people feel valued and supported.
“This should have a focus on an approach which challenges the use of inappropriate language and behaviours.”
Key recommendations made after Crieff High probe
Inspectors have made five recommendations for improvements at the school, with a timeline for when each should be implemented.
- April 2022: The school should review how it records and reports incidents of bullying, and ensure effective communication on the outcome of action to parents and pupils.
- May 2022: The school should reviews its vision, values and aims.
- May 2022: Engage with pupils to find ways they will contribute to the life and work of the school.
- December 2022: The new policies should be fully developed and ready for
implementation. - Throughout 2022-23: Consult with young people to review the current programme content for personal and social education.
Sheena Devlin, executive director of education and children’s services with Perth and Kinross Council, said: “We want all our children and young people to live full, confident lives so they reach their full potential.
“The review team spent a week listening to pupils, parents and staff about the school hearing not just about where things work well, but where things need to improve.
We hope the measures set out today will reassure [pupils and parents] of our zero-tolerance approach to bullying or discrimination.”
Executive director of education and children’s services
“Although I’m pleased most pupils feel the school is safe and welcoming, we know school can be an incredibly lonely place for those being bullied and we will always listen to their concerns.
“We want to reassure all pupils, parents and carers that we take bullying extremely seriously and hope the measures set out today will reassure them of our zero-tolerance approach to bullying or discrimination of any kind.”
Pupil feels ‘let down’
Responding to the report, Anna’s mum Kristie told The Courier: “This should not have been left to children and sadly, through this report, I feel Anna and her peers have again been let down by the adults tasked with protecting and supporting them.
“The data in this report was collected in a way that means that white, straight, cis-gendered students are overwhelmingly represented in the numbers.
“Due to the lack of diversity at Crieff, and the way the information was collected, it would seem all this report can tell us is that straight, white, cis-gendered people do not experience homophobia, racism or transphobia or think there is a culture of discrimination within their school.
“The children who actually experience racism, transphobia and homophobia seem to have been ignored.”
Kristie says the “only people who get to decide” if there is any form of discrimination is those experiencing it.
She has also contested claims that individual incidents of sexual assault or harassment were not reported to the review team – and that some pupils may not have felt comfortable revealing their experiences.
Kristie says her daughter has been left “devastated, exhausted and feeling incredibly let down”.
[Pupils] think the report is proof that Anna – and the others who bravely came forward – exaggerated or lied about their experiences
Kristie De Garis
She added: “Anna left school early today as after the report was released. Anna was called a ‘liar’ by her peers.
“They think the report is proof that Anna – and the others who bravely came forward – exaggerated or lied about their experiences.
“We should be listening to children like Anna, not releasing reports that state their accusations of a culture of discrimination cannot be backed by evidence.”
Types of bullying: What is classed as physical, sexual and prejudicial bullying?
