Council chiefs have approved a raft of new recommendations aimed at keeping deadly weapons out of schools to prevent another tragedy after the death of Bailey Gwynne.
Investigator Andrew Lowe led a review into the circumstances surrounding the schoolboy’s death at Cults Academy and made a number of recommendations to the council, police and the Scottish Government.
The 16-year-old was stabbed to death during a fight over a biscuit in a school corridor last October.
Last night the council’s education committee approved Mr Lowe’s recommendations which include schools sending letters to first year pupils setting out “expectations” in terms of not carrying weapons in class and training pupils on the dangers of knives.
But last night the Scottish Government said they were “still considering” the investigators more contentious recommendations, like giving teachers the powers to search pupils.
North-east Tory MSP Ross Thomson has now again called on Holyrood to make their intentions clear.
He said: “I have been asking since the October recess for a statement to parliament on the findings of the review into the death of Bailey Gwynne.
“Aberdeen City Council has acted swiftly to implement the recommendations that affected the local authority, but we have heard nothing from Scottish Ministers on this.
“The silence from the SNP on this issue is simply not good enough and leaves the impression that this issue is not being taken seriously.”
Gayle Gorman, director of education at the city council said: “The report before committee today outlined and demonstrated Aberdeen City Council and our partners clear commitment to implement the recommendations of the review – and indeed to go further to ensure that our children, young people, families, communities and staff are as informed as they can be regarding the tragic and devastating consequences of carrying weapons.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff – both centrally involved – and especially those at Cults Academy – Mrs Muirhead and her team – in the care and support they offered all pupils – and for their ongoing support for those children and families most impacted upon by the loss of Bailey. As always my thoughts are with Bailey’s family.”