Exclusive:Borders council boss finally admits 'distressing' school incident involved a knife
Scottish Borders Council had downplayed the incident in a primary school but now admit a knife was used
The boss of Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has admitted a knife was involved during a “distressing” incident in a primary school.
Chief executive David Robertson had previously played down a situation at Burnfoot Community School.
Mr Robertson had described an implement used to threaten a volunteer as a “cooking utensil”.
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However, he has now apologised - saying a more appropriate description would have been “small kitchen knife”.
The incident prompted 22 retired SBC teachers to sign a joint letter to education secretary Jenny Gilruth warning of a rising tide of violence in local schools.
Mr Robertson has now also claimed some of those who signed the letter were asked to do despite having no direct involvement with the knife threat.
Writing in a letter sent to local publication The Hawick Paper, he said it was “upsetting and disheartening” for school staff to see complaints published in the media.
He added that concerns should have been raised directly with the council, rather than through a letter to Ms Gilruth.
It has further emerged that two of the letter’s signatories have been let go from their volunteer roles in the school.
The move was described as “shockingly vindictive tactics” by one of the two ex-teachers, who were working as paired reading supports.
Scottish Borders Provost Clare Ramage, a former teacher, described the dismissals as “really petty and petulant”.
In a letter to a concerned local, Mr Robertson had said he accepted the incident was “very distressing” to volunteer and pupils involved.
The situation occurred when a pupil entered a meeting of the school’s eco group, chaired by a volunteer, carrying the knife.
The council chief executive said: “The room is not a space where the pupil was supposed to be.
“A distressing altercation took place between the volunteer and a pupil involving a cooking utensil.
“The volunteer should never have been placed in a position where she had to deal with a pupil who should not have been in that location.”
He went on to say the pupil had been “spoken to” by the depute head teacher to ensure they “fully understood the consequences of their actions”.
The child was also subject to “restorative consequences”.
The volunteer raised the situation with Police Scotland and a local councillor.
As a result, all kitchen equipment is now being stored in a secure area, the school said.
A spokeswoman for SBC said the council does not “accept any level of violence in schools”.
She added: “We want all our pupils and staff to have a safe, nurturing positive experience of schools and is undertaking extensive work with head teachers and parents to address the cause and effect of these.
“Any incident involving aggression or violence in schools towards staff and pupils is taken extremely seriously.
“Schools follow established procedures for recording and responding to incidents, including safeguarding measures, risk assessments, and appropriate follow-up actions.”
On the volunteers being dismissed from their posts, she added: “Arrangements for volunteers are made between the individuals concerned and the school.
“Volunteers are an important and valued part of our schools.
“Our schools play key roles in the community, and we welcome anyone who wants to volunteer to help children and young people learn effectively.
“Should volunteers have any concerns about their experience in schools, we would expect this to be resolved within the school.
“Schools welcome the support of volunteers; however, volunteer arrangements are not contractual and may be ended by the school or the volunteer for a variety of reasons.”
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