Isabelle Shaw
Content Warning: This article contains mentions of child abuse.
Five former teachers from the Edinburgh Academy have been charged with historic abuse of school children from 1968, Police Scotland has said.
Edinburgh Academy, once viewed as one the Scotland’s most elite private schools, has fallen from grace as five men have been charged with historic abuse. Claims were made against as many as 20 teaching staff.
The five individuals, aged between 69 and 90, allegedly abused students between 1968 to 1992, whilst they taught at the Academy.
The alleged victims first spoke out publicly in August 2023. Nearly 50 witnesses gave evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse inquiry, including television presenter Nicky Campbell and actor Ian Glen.
“We deeply regret what happened at the Academy in the past” – Edinburgh Academy
Testimonies included teachers acting “extremely violently and brutally,” including locking boys in a garden shed for days and beating children with cricket bats as a form of punishment.
The fee-paying Academy has come under scrutiny for failing to protect the children, and failing to report complaints from students to the police.
DI Colin Moffat said: “We would like to thank everyone who has come forward and assisted our inquiries to date.
“While the investigation of child abuse, particularly non-recent offences, can be complex and challenging, anyone who reports this type of crime can be assured that we will listen and we will investigate all reports, no matter when those offences occurred or who committed them.”
“It’s as if somebody at last has told the grown-ups about what happened to us when we were little”@NickyAACampbell speaks after giving evidence on his time at The Edinburgh Academy, to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, describing it as “an incredible opportunity for survivors”. pic.twitter.com/7GxAimYJKf
— Forth 1 News (@Forth1News) August 22, 2023
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Academy has released a statement saying it is “appalled” by the abuse and they “deeply regret what happened at the Academy in the past.”
“This was examined in detail at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, which we have fully supported, and we applaud the bravery of those who came forward to tell their stories.
“We will continue to respect the ongoing legal process and would encourage anyone who has been the victim of abuse to contact Police Scotland.”
Investigations into the abuse are still ongoing.
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Featured image courtesy of Brian McNeil via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
Isabelle Shaw
Isabelle is a student at the University of Edinburgh studying History and Spanish. She is an aspiring journalist with a focus on writing articles that help contribute to change and understanding of women's rights.