Documentary on Perthshire school closure will continue despite review dismissing allegations
Parents and former staff at the New School at Butterstone say filming will keep going after the independent investigation found financial reasons were to blame
A documentary into the sudden closure of a Perthshire specialist school will still go ahead - despite a review dismissing campaigners allegations.
The independent inquiry found financial reasons were at fault for the new school at Butterstone shutting in 2018.
Parents and some staff had blamed the council and Care Inspectorate.
Susan Briggs whose son attended said she was surprised by the findings.
"I was insanely happy with my son's progress. During his time at The New School he excelled in his school work, he made positive relationships and became a happy and accepted member of the school community," she said
Work on a documentary into it's closure is ongoing, and former head of care Angie Gordon said the filming will continue.
Former headteacher Bill Colley said: "I reject in its entirety the independent review carried out by Mr James Martin into the closure of what was one of the safest and most caring schools in Scotland.
"The report is no more than a shameful whitewash in which school managers are scapegoated to cover for failings elsewhere, and notably in the regulatory authorities and Perth & Kinross Council.
Education Secretary John Swinney said: “The school’s abrupt closure was deeply regrettable and had a significant impact on pupils, families and staff.
“The Review finds that child protection policies at the school were not enforced, the Board’s understanding of their role was insufficient and that concerns around safeguarding were not properly investigated, which was compounded by poor working relationships.
“There are a number of recommendations for the public bodies involved which I would urge those organisations to reflect upon.
These include the production of new guidance for independent schools and parents, as well as the importance of Boards giving families and pupils sufficient notice when a school has to unavoidably close."
James Martin whoo carried out the investigation said: “By assessing the facts of what took place, and how situations and processes were handled, I am confident that this collective approach has been effective in bringing together a full picture of the events leading up to the School’s closure.
It is clear that the School, which had been in a difficult financial position for some time, closed because in the view of the Board the Charitable Trust should be wound up."
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