A private school in Edinburgh has offered an apology for its "brutal and unrestrained" historical abuse, as claims against 20 teaching staff at Edinburgh Academy surfaced.
Allegations include incidents such as a child being beaten with a cricket bat, another suffering a "minor brain bleed," and boys being rewarded to swim nude.
Closing arguments were presented during the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry on Wednesday. The majority of testimony has revolved around the period spanning from 1954 to 1995.
Broadcaster Nicky Campbell, who publicly disclosed his personal experiences of abuse, is among nearly 50 witnesses who have testified.
One former educator, Iain Wares, was dubbed "one of the most prolific abusers in Scottish criminal history" by a representative for survivors. Wares currently faces abuse charges in South Africa and is challenging an extradition order back to Scotland.
Police Scotland has confirmed investigations into allegations connected to the school.
The Inquiry has revealed that despite corporal punishment being prohibited in Scottish private schools since 2000, Edinburgh Academy exhibited a culture of "disproportionate sadistic violence" in the 1970s, fostering an atmosphere of fear.
In a formal apology, Edinburgh Academy acknowledged the gravity of the violence and confessed that "serious sexual abuse was widespread."
The school also expressed regret over not involving the police to address Wares' actions in the 1970s; instead, he was recommended for a position at Fettes College, where he subsequently worked.
Fettes College also issued an apology for permitting Wares to continue teaching in spite of abuse allegations, influenced by an intervention from a psychiatrist.
Both schools are implementing mandatory reporting mechanisms. The General Teaching Council for Scotland has asserted that the situation presents an "opportunity for learning."
Edinburgh Academy is striving to recognize child abuse during its bicentennial celebrations in 2024-25 and has introduced an online reporting platform for pupils.
"This school failed its students in grievous ways," remarked Alan McLean KC, representing the Edinburgh Academy Survivors group. He emphasized that "disproportionate, sadistic corporal punishment was widespread in the 1970s," reflecting a distinctive trait of the institution.
The revelations have exposed long-term ramifications, including PTSD, depression, failed marriages, and trust issues, leaving former pupils profoundly affected. Photo by Macumba at English Wikipedia.