A retired Scottish police officer has blasted Waid Academy for not reporting a school assault to police, saying the victim involved “could have died”.
Graham Goulden, who spent his last years in policing as a chief inspector with the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, hit out at the Fife school for not bringing Monday’s assault to the attention of officers sooner.
Mr Goulden made the comments after seeing video footage of a schoolgirl being attacked in a classroom at Waid Academy.
And it has since emerged a boy at the school is alleged to have been knocked unconscious in a fight on the same day.
The Courier previously told how a schoolgirl was pulled to the floor and kicked on the head and face by another girl.
Officers were not immediately contacted about the assault, but today Police Scotland – following our reporting of the story – confirmed it is aware of both incidents and conducting inquiries.
Waid Academy confirmed it is dealing with the incident internally.
‘Shocked’ at video footage at Waid Academy
Mr Goulden – who also led development of the Mentors in Violence Prevention programme in Scottish high schools – says the incident at Waid Academy captured on video could have had a tragic outcome for the girl involved.
He said: “It shocked me when I watched that video – it was a shocking film to watch, especially the last kick.
“This is clearly a serious assault. It’s not bullying and it needed addressed.
“It is unacceptable and it is a criminal act that took place there.
“The victim could have died. That kick to the head could have led to a serious injury or death.
“The school requires to reflect and ensure that such incidents are brought to the attention of the police.”
Role of passive bystanders
Mr Goulden says the video footage also poses questions of the role of pupils who watched the assault.
He continued: “The film highlights the power of passive bystanders.
“The person filming and those others around. Their silence empowers the attacked and escalates the scenario.
“The presence of friends there doing nothing and filming escalates the situation and gives permission to the person who is using the violence.
“If one person had just said something early on then it could have stopped the whole thing.
“Schools require to start bystander conversations and motivate friends to act.
“Friends don’t let friends get hurt.”
‘Create conversations’
He says he was shocked police had not been called in for both incidents at the school.
Mr Goulden adds: “I am surprised because that to me – on a scale of violence – is quite high and is of concern.
“The school needs to look inside and see what is going on but it also needs to create conversations where young people start to see the impact of silence.
“It’s not just about the violence.
“It’s also about how that impacts on that young person’s ability to feel safe at school which then impacts on their ability to learn.
“This is why schools should be taking this issue so seriously.”
Waid Academy head teacher Scott Duncan said the school has “very robust policies and procedures in school to deal with this kind of behaviour”.
He added that the assault was dealt with ‘swiftly and proportionately’ and that the school is continuing to work with those involved and their parents.
