The head teacher of an Angus secondary school has written to parents to explain why she controversially withdrew the play Black Watch as a study text.
Webster’s High School head teacher Jane Esson’s decision to stop Higher drama pupils at the school studying the play divided parents and attracted criticism from former First Minister Alex Salmond.
Prominent crime writer Ian Rankin also added his signature to an open letter calling for a rethink on the Iraq War play.
The acclaimed production details events leading up to the deaths of three servicemen in a roadside bomb attack in 2004 and contains sexual content and graphic language.
In her letter, Mrs Esson said a review was carried out by the Kirriemuir school’s senior management team after a complaint was made by a parent about the play’s content.
She wrote: “It was agreed that, on balance, it was inappropriate for this to be studied as a class text by pupils, some of whom were as young as 15.
“This was a reasoned judgment based on consideration of the language of the play and the maturity it demands of an audience.
“The content of the play focuses on issues of sexuality, male identity and the psychological damage caused by warfare.
“It is a very powerful and thought-provoking stage play but my professional view is the explicit text is too demanding for our young learners in a classroom setting.”
Mrs Esson was recently defended by Dundee High School rector Dr John Halliday, who accused Mr Salmond and Mr Rankin of “bullying” her over the decision.
In his Courier column, Mr Salmond said he was unhappy the “rollicking production” was not being studied.
Mrs Esson said the play, which is not on the SQA reading list, had not been banned and was still available for use by pupils for “personal study or home reading”.
She said it could also be used as a text for Advanced Higher drama pupils.
She added: “Often I am called upon to make some difficult decisions and I realise and respect the fact that this may result in divided opinion.
“I want to reassure you that, when making every decision pertaining to Webster’s High School, foremost in my mind is the best interests of all our pupils.”