A PRIVATE school at the centre of a police investigation was dramatically shut down by the Scottish Government yesterday after ministers claimed it was no longer safe for children to attend.
About 125 primary pupils at Hamilton School in Queen’s Road were picked up from classes by their anxious parents after they were told about the development.
The future of the school’s nursery is also in doubt – with Aberdeen Sheriff Court due to decide on Wednesday whether it should also shut.
There were emotional scenes as parents – several of them visibly upset and angry – left the school gates for the last time, with police called to ensure public safety.
Many of the children were in tears.
One mum said: “I am just so upset. We got an e-mail through and that is how we found out.
“We just can’t believe it. I have three kids here.”
Now, parents are urgently seeking an alternative school for their children – and, as an emergency measure, the city council has reopened the disused Braeside Primary to accommodate former Hamilton pupils.
Senior officials from the council’s education department will be drafted in to teach the displaced children.
Parents have been called to an emergency meeting with Aberdeen City Council managers this morning in an attempt to allay fears and discuss future options. Learning Minister Alasdair Allan said yesterday: “The safety, wellbeing and education of children is our absolute priority.
“There is clear evidence from the HM Inspectors report that there have been serious failings in the school.
“They have said it is simply not safe for children to go there and so we have had no alternative but to order the school closed immediately.”
In a further development, an application was made to Aberdeen Sheriff Court by the Care Inspectorate to close down the Hamilton School nursery.
The nursery, which cares for about 100 children, is due to open as usual on Monday.
The care regulator made the legal move after the nursery was given seven days to make “serious and urgent” improvements to child welfare. The nursery principal, Kathlyn Taylor, 65, and a 25-year-old nursery employee are facing prosecution following a police investigation into staff conduct at the premises, where the youngest children are aged just three months.
Police inquiries are ongoing.
Ms Taylor, who set up the Hamilton School more than 40 years ago, said last night that she was “stunned” by the developments and was seeking legal advice.
Police, the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland, which assesses classroom standards, were called into the school after allegations were made on a social media site.
Melissa Chalmers, 27, a former member of nursery staff who set up the Boycott Hamilton School Site, said last night she felt “vindicated” by the Scottish Government’s actions.
Ministers took the decision to close the school after inspectors, who arrived on February 7, were forced to refer three child protection cases to Police Scotland.
Inspectors also had to intervene in two lessons where “serious health and safety risks were observed”.
A statement from the Scottish Government said: “These and other detailed issues identified during the inspection led HM Inspectors to conclude that they are not confident that children attending the Hamilton School are safe.
“HM Inspectors further concluded the Hamilton School is failing in its duty of care to its children and staff.”
A Care Inspectorate spokesman said it had “extremely serious concerns” about the quality of care offered to young children in the nursery and urgent improvements were required around lifesaving medication, nutrition and staffing.
He said: “Following the ministerial decision to close the school, our inspectors visited the nursery this morning and remain extremely concerned for the health, safety and welfare of children.
“This afternoon we made an application to Aberdeen Sheriff Court under Section 65 of the Public Services Reform Act seeking suspension of the nursery’s registration, because we believe there is a continuing serious risk to the health, safety and wellbeing of children.”
A statement from Hamilton School said: “A lengthy letter from Education Scotland has been submitted to the school and we are considering this with our legal advisers.
“An appeal is under active consideration.
“We are stunned by this decision and don’t believe it’s in the best interests of the children, their parents or the 85 staff employed here.
“In nearly 40 years of business we have had thousands of satisfied parents and children and the majority of those whom we have spoken to over the past few weeks have remained happy with the school and have been very supportive.”