School may be closed after abuse claims

KEVIN SCHOFIELD

COUNCIL officials have recommended the closure of a school in Ayrshire for troubled youngsters, it emerged last night. Members of Glasgow City Council’s policy and resources committee will be asked tomorrow to approve the closure of Kerelaw school, which has been hit by controversy in recent years.

A report by education and social work officials says that Kerelaw Open School, which offers residential places for young people, should be closed by the end of 2004/5 financial year.

It also says that talks should take place with the Scottish Executive over the future of the Kerelaw Secure Unit on the same site.

More than 20 members of staff at the school are currently either suspended or have been moved to other jobs following claims that youngsters were abused.

An internal investigation and police inquiry are continuing, while the Care Commission and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate (HMI) of Education are expected to publish a damning report into the school ahead of tomorrow’s meeting.

According to council papers, the report will say that "systems and practice to ensure young people felt safe and secure had major weaknesses".

The report recommends that councillors "agree in principle" to the closure of Kerelaw Open School and that no further admissions are made to the school.

It also calls on the committee to agree that the council no longer wishes to be a provider of secure care and that an alternative provider for Kerelaw Secure Unit should be found.

Both the council and the Scottish Executive told The Scotsman last night that it would be "inappropriate" to comment on the report ahead of the committee meeting tomorrow