Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry to investigate boarding schools

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has announced it will extend to boarding schools in summer 2020.

The inquiry said it would begin phase six by investigating Fettes College, Gordonstoun, Keil School in Dumbarton, Loretto School, Merchiston Castle School, Queen Victoria School in Dunblane and Morrison’s Academy at the time it was a boarding school.

Inquiry chair Lady Smith urged anyone with evidence in relation to these schools to get in contact with the inquiry.

“We are interested in hearing from anyone about their experiences in boarding schools, particularly people who may have more recent experiences of having attended one of the schools currently under wider investigation from the 1980’s up to December 2014,” she said.

“I know that some people have already made a report to the police or to other agencies/persons and may have been involved in other investigations. That does not matter – please also talk to us.”

The inquiry is examining historical allegations of the abuse of children in care and began taking statements from witnesses in spring 2016.

The first phase of the inquiry’s hearings began 31 May 2017 and it is currently hearing evidence about child care establishments run by male religious orders, which will conclude at the end of this year.

The next phase, beginning at the end of 2019, will examine the abuse of children involved in child migration programmes.

The inquiry’s witness support team can be contacted on 0800 0929 300, or emailed at talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot.