Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry publishes eleventh of its case study findings

Morrison’s was one of the schools investigated in the boarding schools case study and explored in evidence in the course of public hearings.

She concludes that children were abused at Morrison’s. The abuse was primarily physical and emotional, but there was also sexual abuse.

Factors such as the excessive and inappropriate use of corporal punishment; poorly run and managed boarding houses; and a strong tradition and culture of not reporting abuse were amongst those that resulted in children being abused and deprived of what could have been - and should have been - positive childhood experiences of boarding at the school.

Some children at Morrison’s also engaged in abusive conduct towards other children. This included bullying and physical abuse, often a result of the common practice known as ‘fagging’; and corporal punishment, physical violence and emotional abuse carried out by prefects. A few older pupils engaged in sexually abusive conduct against younger children in the boarding houses.

All three of the main boys’ houses — Academy, Dalmhor and Glenearn — were places where physical and emotionally abusive cultures were allowed to flourish for lengthy periods between the 1950s and the 1980s.

Lady Smith, Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, said: “Children who boarded at Morrison’s were exposed to risks of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. For many, those risks materialised, and children were abused. That abuse had long-term impact.

“For decades, Morrison’s harboured a culture of violence and emotional abuse. The abuse was primarily physical and emotional, but there was also sexual abuse.

“Some members of staff at Morrison’s abused children, both in the school and in the boarding houses. Corporal punishment was used excessively and inappropriately by staff. It was even used in advance of misbehaviour taking place. On occasion, teachers indulged in mass beatings.

“Morrison’s response to excessive and inappropriate corporal punishment was inadequate.”

Evidence relating to Morrison’s Academy was explored during case study hearings which took place between 24 March 2021 and 12 May 2021. The Inquiry heard oral evidence and statements were also read in to evidence. Since hearings concluded, further evidence in the form of signed statements has been provided and it has been considered and taken into account in the preparation of these findings.

In summary, Lady Smith found:

• Children were abused at Morrison’s.
• Corporal punishment was used excessively and inappropriately by staff; and Morrison’s response to excessive and inappropriate corporal punishment was inadequate.
• Houses were poorly run and poorly managed by ill-equipped and inappropriate housemasters/housemistresses who allowed abuse to become endemic.
• Some children at Morrison’s engaged in abusive conduct towards other children, principally in the boarding houses. This included bullying and physical abuse, and corporal punishment, physical violence and emotional abuse carried out by prefects. A few older pupils engaged in sexually abusive conduct against younger children in the boarding houses.
• There was a strong tradition and culture of not reporting abuse - children would not ‘clipe’ and those who did suffered at the hands of their fellow pupils. Children were not encouraged to speak up or share concerns.
• Personality and the school’s reputation could trump child protection and employment and reference practices.
• Although Morrison’s ceased taking boarders in 2007 and is no longer a boarding school, its recent leaders have sought to learn from the school’s past failures in relation to child protection when it was a boarding school and continue to do so.

Lady Smith added: “When boarding was established at Morrison’s in 1880, the ability to educate children was assumed to include an ability to provide appropriate residential care for them. That was an erroneous assumption and it prevailed for much of the time boarding existed at the school.

“It was assumed that allowing teachers, and others, to operate private boarding houses, without apparent supervision or oversight, would be appropriate. That was not a safe assumption to make.

“Far too often, houses were poorly run and poorly managed by ill-equipped and inappropriate housemasters/housemistresses who allowed abuse to become endemic. Boarding houses were, until the 1990s, not subject to adequate oversight by the school management. They could operate as separate “fiefdoms” where the character of the house master or mistress determined the character of the house for good or ill.

“I am very grateful to all who rose to the challenge of engaging with the Inquiry, whether former pupils, former staff, or others. Their willingness to cooperate, assist, and contribute accounts of their experiences was welcome and invaluable.”

Lady Smith has now published eleven sets of findings, most recently in relation to Child Migration, the abuse of pupils at Loretto School and now, the abuse of pupils at Morrison’s Academy. Lady Smith’s findings in relation to other boarding schools case studies will follow.