Investigation finds 'no prevailing culture of bullying' at Crieff High School
The review was launched following allegations of racism, and sexist bullying in an open letter by 5th year student Anna De Garis
Last updated 31st Mar 2022
An investigation into Crieff High School has found 'no prevailing culture of bullying and harassment', following allegations of racism, and sexist bullying raised in an open letter by 5th year student Anna De Garis.
The team from Perth and Kinross council spent a week talking to pupils, parents and staff at Crieff High school, and found there was no prevailing culture of bullying or harassment and the majority of pupils reported a sense of belonging and feeling safe.
But investigators found some pupils had experienced bullying, and there was an inconsistent approach to dealing with incidents of bullying by staff.
READ MORE: Investigation launched into Crieff High School following student's open letter
Out of almost 600 pupils, the investigators, there were 308 responses from pupils as well as a further 296 from parents and 90 from members of staff.
159 people took part in focus groups: 94 pupils, 23 parents and 42 staff, with 23 individual meetings with pupils, staff and parents/carers
'More work is necessary' to support pupils
The report concludes more needs to be done to ensure all pupils supported, and recommends a new anti-bullying policy should be developed by the end of 2022 with a focus on promoting positive relationships and approaches to deal consistently with all inappropriate language and behaviour.
Sheena Devlin, Executive Director of Education and Children’s Services with Perth & 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.
“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 that of our zero-tolerance approach to bullying or discrimination of any kind.”