Enter your password to log in. In England, also, John, Kate and others who suffered at the school would be able to bring civil compensation cases if their allegations were proven. Scottish police have identified both the Essex and Kenya school where Jones taught, but have refused to name them to the Observer. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Tragic hillwalker and dog who plunged 100ft in Glencoe to have ashes scattered together. Without forensic or medical evidence, prosecuting Mr X demanded two victims Kate and Jane. The bursar promised that Jones would leave the teaching profession, the family claim. One evening in autumn 1990, the 12-year-old was in bed in his dormitory, in pain from a rugby injury and unable to sleep. By Alan Shields For The Scottish Daily Mail, Published: 04:52 EST, 2 May 2018 | Updated: 08:39 EST, 2 May 2018, Former assistant house master Andrew Keir, 67, preyed on youngsters while at 36,000-a-year Gordonstoun near Elgin, Moray, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Gordonstoun school faces more pressure over pupil sex abuse June 2015 John Findlay said he was sexually assaulted in his dormitory bed at the age of 12 The Gordonstoun public school in Moray is facing further pressure over claims of historical sexual abuse at its former prep school, Aberlour House. The school's uniquely broad curriculum encourages every individual to fulfil their potential academically, but it . She said this made her feel unsafe and she tried to get expelled from Gordonstoun, but was unsuccessful. The MailOnline reports that Gordonstoun, a leading independent boarding school in Scotland, had originally released the historic reports with permission from Buckingham Palace in anticipation of his birthday in June this year, when the late royal would have turned 100. Most of Johns memories of Aberlour are of happiness and success. A teenage student killed a teacher at a school in southwestern France on Wednesday, authorities said. Scottish courts have recently been paying large sums to survivors of historic abuse in the countrys famous boarding schools. Crucially, his faith in adults was gone. An eccentric, says another student from that time, a know-it-all and a show off. Alex, who met Von Vertes when they studied at university in London, suffered 50 blows to the head and body after meeting up with the aristocrat at his familys chalet near Lake Zurich. In actual fact it has given me some very unhealthy patterns of behaviour, and also feelings towards myself. The school and the insurers have spent years adding to peoples trauma by dodging their responsibilities., In a statement, Gordonstoun said: We are very sorry that any former student suffered abuse in their time at the school and we admire the courage of those who have come forward. The earlier version also said that Aberlour House had settled the two claims without admission of liability; in fact it did admit liability in the case of John Findlay. The woman, referred to as Jane to protect her anonymity, attended the Moray school and its preparatory school Aberlour House from 1979. When John returned to the school, Jones was gone, but things had changed. Mr Findlay had earlier told the inquiry that Derek Jones abused him after giving him medication to treat an injury when he was 12. She was, she says, a perfect, docile product of the educators ethos. Its policy is based on Scottish government guidelines. He told him what had happened and together the two 12-year-olds went to Joness room to confront him. A Gordonstoun spokesperson told us: There is no suggestion that Mr Lomas committed any criminal behaviour during his time at the school. If there were, then or now, the school would inform the police. Windows were left open at night: in the winter, the children could wake up with snow on their blankets. Gordonstoun School is a co-educational independent school for boarding and day pupils in Moray, Scotland. Breaking down in tears, he said Keir grabbed him and pushed his face against his. I thought, how do I move forward? I didnt speak to anyone., For the rest of the trip Mr X ignored her. It says that during this period, Aberlour had separate ownership and management. There are several reasons why Gordonstoun is a unique boarding school for children aged 4-18. ex-teacher Andrew Keir was convicted of offences including indecent assault involving thirteen-year-old pupils at the school between 1988 and 1991. . There is a simpler question for Gordonstoun and the 160 or more private boarding schools currently facing allegations about sexual crimes committed against their pupils can they protect their children properly now? He is also appealing the 12-year sentence he was handed in November. I felt eyes in the back of my head from other students. The Gordonstone School, founded by Kurt Hahn, a famous German teacher, was named after Robert Gordon, in . Once I was with her in his bedsit in the school, chatting with him. He denied any wrongdoing. A former pupil of Gordonstoun boarding school has said children regularly showed racist and sexist behaviour. The woman, referred to as Jane to protect her anonymity, attended the Moray school and its preparatory school Aberlour House from 1979. The inquiry was told that as well as the indecent images of boys, police found fictional stories on his computer which described sexual acts in a school. Gordonstoun is one of seven boarding schools currently being investigated by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, Aberlour House is considered to be a prep school for Gordonstoun School, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Jones was sacked. The interior is squalid, particularly for the boys.". gordonstoun teacher killed I felt eyes in the back of my head from other students. Gunshots caught on doorbell footage as Greenock dad gunned down on his doorstep. the skyview building hyderabad; julian clary ian mackley split; timothy evatt seidler; case hardening advantages and disadvantages; doorbell chime with built in 16v transformer Id never had alcohol in my life. As a kid, I suppose, you just think skinny-dipping! Jane said much of the accommodation at the Gordonstoun estate, which contains a grand 17th Century country house, was decrepit. My understanding was it was a list produced by someone of teachers who were not to be taken on for a variety of reasons. Fifteen children, all. She said the maximum prison sentence available to her of one year was woefully inadequate and did not reflect the gravity of Keirs offending. We wanted to go, remembers Kate. One of Scotlands leading schools is facing claims by former students that they were abused by paedophiles. They can mean predators, who might be brought to trial, remain at large and free to offend. Johns parents say that they were encouraged not to seek a prosecution. Januar 2023 . Body of woman found on Aberdeenshire beach as police launch investigation into death. Ancira Eagle Pass Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram. For all these years Id not seen myself really as a child. In truth, what has dragged Kate back to the horrors of her school days is not Janes inability to give evidence but an arcane piece of Scottish criminal law the principle of corroboration. 2023 BBC. The principal of Gordonstoun Lisa Kerr gave evidence to the inquiry in March and apologised on behalf of the school to those who had suffered abuse, saying: "I'd like to offer a very sincere. Going into a witness box might be damaging for their son. They were so certain it was all going to happen, that it was a done deal. Detective Inspector Graeme Dursley was speaking at the inquiry in Edinburgh today, March 1. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Late one night in his final year, 1990, John left the dormitory seeking help. former pupil at Gordonstoun has told an inquiry that a teacher who would go on to be convicted of sexual offences groped him at the school. The girls who were bitchy to me already were more bitchy, led by Jane [which is not her real name]. This article was amended on 8 October 2022 to reflect the relationship between Aberlour House and Gordonstoun. At Von Vertess trial, his lawyers argued he was suffering from psychosis after mixing sleeping pills, cocaine and ketamine. 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She said this made her feel unsafe and she tried to get expelled from Gordonstoun, but was unsuccessful. front mission 3 wiki . motorcyclist killed bronx. She also said two girls from Africa in her house would have described the racism they faced as "unliveable". Cops raced to the scene earlier today after the alarm was raised at around 1.50pm. The quest for justice has been hard for both victims. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Without that safety net, in place now in most British schools, cover-up always remains a possibility. Two drivers rushed to hospital after head-on smash on Scots road. She said: "Like a lot of these establishments, the outside is a lie. But Kate and her own psychological expert disputed this. In June, an ex-pupil of Fettes, Tony Blairs school, got 400,000 in compensation for the assaults of a male teacher now awaiting extradition from South Africa. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. It helps me to sleep at night knowing he is behind bars. Green Apple: Users fume at new feature that slows charging when 'clean energy' isn't used, Another close call! The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. I was such a mess. By clicking Sign up you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice. What's he waiting for? Late one night in his final year, 1990, John left the dormitory seeking help. Read our, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}. I remember being called a homo. Some of the names in this article have been changed. Boot room: a young musician finds a quiet spot to practise at Aberlour House. It is named after the 150-acre (61 ha) estate owned by Sir Robert Gordon in the 17th century; the school now uses this estate as its campus. Kenny Reilly gangland killers told to "rot in hell" by grieving sister after Hampden banner stunt. It took a while, but eventually he woke his best friend, Michael. He excelled at sport and passed the exams to go on to the senior school with a commendation. It is the birthplace of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Her most vivid memory of the subsequent summer days in the Highlands is of the moment when she went to a cliff-top, having decided to end her life. Will he do his own stunts? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the day's top stories sent directly to you. After Jones left the room, John struggled to get out of bed. The remaining time there was happy., But as he went on to the senior school, the wider repercussions of Joness assault became apparent. I want to have compassion for her and at times I do. The school says it has co-operated with the police in its investigations into Aberlour House, Jones and Mr X. After minutes of panicky struggle, Jones stopped the fondling and put his head under the covers, turning on a torch. See GORDONSTOUN SCHOOL salaries collected directly from employees and jobs on Indeed. There are other stories, too. Next term most of them would start at the senior school, Gordonstoun, a famously severe Scottish institution that Prince Charles had once described as "Colditz in kilts". One boy, John Findlay, told. Jane said much of the accommodation at the Gordonstoun estate, which contains a grand 17th Century country house, was decrepit. John Findlay claimed a teacher at Aberlour . This all comes after Harry released his memoir in January, which heavily criticised his stepmother, Camila. For more on this story go to theguardian.com/society/series/boarding-school-abuse, This article was amended on 13 April 2015 to clarify the principle of corroboration in Scottish criminal law, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, The assault changed me completely. Passing sentence yesterday, Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov criticised the Crown Office for bringing charges on summary proceedings rather than at a higher level. He told me if I told anyone he would get into trouble, while he was only trying to do me a favour and help me.. Police arrest man after 'disturbance' near Scots primary school. The regime at Aberlour House was not much softer. Gordonstoun is a tough public school in Moray, Scotland, attended by Prince Philip when he was a boy, when he was one of the first pupils to attend. . I think now that I was there because it would have been weird for him to have gone just with her, in a pub buying a 13-year-old drinks. His ideas have made Gordonstoun one of Britains most famous public schools. Jane told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, led by Lady Smith, that teachers at both schools showed a lack of boundaries and pupils were often self-governing through the system of accommodation "houses". The irony is that Gordonstoun strives to make you resilient and I am being punished for that. Mental health difficulties cut short Kates study for a degree in biochemistry at university. I always had a feeling there was something there and now I realise the extent of what happened with her and the reason why she bullied me so much. The teacher responsible for the abuse, Derek Jones, has now died but the inquiry was told he was able to work elsewhere after being sacked from Aberlour. Prosecutors will try to increase his sentence to 16 years for homicide, the rape of a woman on a separate conviction and a road traffic offence. At Elgin Sheriff Court in 2018, Keir was found guilty of two charges of lewd, libidinous or indecent practice between November 1988 and March 1989. Kate remembers him: Just the sweetest little boy. He was following a family tradition: his father went to both Aberlour and Gordonstoun. gordonstoun teacher killed. But she is furious that the arguments put up limit the amount of damages paid. Former physics teacher, 67, at Gordonstoun, Prince Charles' old 36,000-a-year boarding school, who molested pupils and chased them round a swimming pool naked is jailed for 12 months Andrew. He said: "It's a fact I was found guilty, it's also a fact I believe I am not guilty.". Andrew Keir, 71, was called as a witness for the inquiry. We have rigorous child-protection policies that have been developed with guidance from expert agencies. He was young and everyone thought he was cool. Kate and her lawyers had first to obtain a ruling from the Scottish courts that a time bar on civil cases for damages could be lifted, because the trauma from the attack was so severe. My life since school has involved drug use, alcoholism and a distinct lack of belief and trust that those who say they will always be there, actually will.. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry . John briefly joined the group, but left it, thinking the chatter was futile: It was mainly about bullying, old classroom rows. But he had already decided that he had to act on Jones: I had a duty to make sure this bastard was not still out there doing things to kids. So in February 2014 he went to the police. And the other girls were her gang. Gordonstoun should set up a trust to help those who suffered abuse access mental health treatment, a former pupil who was drugged and sexually assaulted by a teacher at its preparatory school has . Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article. He would be barred. 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