A north-east school has been criticised for bolting its fire exits shut just hours after it said it would review its safety measures in response to a pupil being assaulted.
Fraserburgh Academy released a statement on Tuesday night confirming it would review safety at the school after a young girl was attacked by an outsider in the games hall.
A 12-year-old girl, who is not a student at the school, had been able to walk into the building unchallenged and attack another youth in a film that was captured on a smartphone by pals.
The clip drew concern and anger from parents who raised serious questions about the safety of their children at the secondary.
But now a video has emerged showing the fire doors have been bolted shut – with one parent describing it as a “joke”.
The clip shows a pupil inspecting the doors, which have been sealed shut with brackets and screws.
The mum, who has children at the school, said: “It’s wrong.
“There’s been fires in the school and I think it has left one corridor without a fire exit at all. If something were to happen the kids wouldn’t be able to get out at all.
“I don’t know what they’re thinking.”
The mum claims that reasons for the move included that were “too many fire exits” and that it “stopped people coming in”.
“Teachers tried to take the phone of the kid who was recording them off of him,” she added.
“They obviously knew it wasn’t right.
“I don’t feel my own kids are safe there with fire exits closed off. It’s putting a lot of kids at risk. If this is the school reviewing its safety, it’s a joke.”
Last night an Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said: “The door in question was closed in good faith in the belief it was not a core part of the school’s evacuation plan.
“Following an assessment by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, it has been agreed to reopen the door and have it formally added to the plan.”
On Tuesday, Fraserburgh Academy rector David Clark had assured parents that the staff would do everything they could to keep their children safe.
In a statement, he said: “We will review our site security and work closely with all our partners to ensure the continued well-being of our young people.
“We always act swiftly to anything that undermines the safety of our students.”
