Parents are threatening to take their children out of an Edinburgh primary due to the behaviour of pupils and their carers in the playground and at the school gate.

Staff at Ferryhill Primary have reported they “regularly feel threatened at work” and the Unison union has called for community police officers to be present at the beginning and end of the school day “when the behaviours are at their worst”.

The primary’s parent council has also reported a number of “critical issues” at the school.

Other allegations include:
• “Verbal and physical violence” between pupils and from children towards the staff
• Tools left out by maintenance staff – including a hammer, sledgehammer and metal pole – having to be removed from the pupils
• Nursery children “escaping” the premises on a number of occasions requiring police to attend
• Racism and bullying within the playground and
• “Huge issues” with the support of children with additional needs.

Ferryhill Primary School parent council – which also promotes and organises events to help benefit the school community – told Sky News it was taking action to protect the children and support the staff.

In a statement, the parent council said: “Children and parents [are] apprehensive to enter the playground for fear of bullying, violence and racism.

“Children are witnessing aggression and violence aimed at their teachers [and] support staff, creating fear and anxiety in an environment which should be nurturing.”

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Police Scotland said officers were aware of a “small number of incidents” in the area, but the force had not received reports of parents fighting at the start and end of each school day.

‘It is imperative that action is taken’

On Monday, the parent council said that although it had been three weeks since an emergency motion was passed by the City of Edinburgh Council’s education, children and families committee requiring the school to discuss the issues, communication had “not improved”.

With no timeline yet put forward, the parent council said it would press ahead with previously postponed strike action and would remove children from the school for a day after the summer holidays on a date yet to be arranged.

In a statement, the parent council said: “As the end of the school term is this Wednesday, we fear that we are now going into another term without any clear path forward.

“It is imperative that action is taken to address the critical issues within Ferryhill Primary School as soon as possible.

“We want to make it clear that our actions are not an attack on the school itself, but rather a sincere effort to secure the necessary assistance that our school desperately needs.”

The statement ended: “As previously advised in our statement dated 6 June, we would like a promise of, and a timeline for, the implementation of support.

“We have yet to be communicated this and therefore will be striking in the new term with a date to be arranged in the very near future.”

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Tom Connolly, Unison Edinburgh City branch secretary, branded it a “serious situation” and said the union was working with stakeholders to ensure the safety of all pupils, parents and staff.

Mr Connolly said the headteacher has been “extremely supportive”, adding: “The unions have met with senior leaders at Edinburgh Council and we have asked that community police support staff at the beginning and end of the school day when the behaviours are at their worst.

“We are also looking to see if a family support organisation can provide help.

“Unison will continue to work collaboratively over the summer with the school management team, parents, city councillors and others, so that when the new term starts everyone can return to a safe environment for learning.”

‘Ferryhill values kindness and respect’

When Edinburgh Council was contacted by Sky News to respond on behalf of the school to the allegations of parents arguing in the playground and staff feeling “threatened and unsafe” at work, it provided a statement by Councillor Joan Griffiths.

Cllr Griffiths said: “The completely unacceptable behaviour of a few adults is having an enormous impact on the whole school community and the recent incidents will not be tolerated.

“The school have, and will, call the police if there are any incidents witnessed by staff and involving threatening or abusive behaviour towards any member of their school community.

“Ferryhill values kindness and respect and these ideals are instilled in their pupils and extended to all members of their community so it’s really important everyone works together to drive forward positive change for the future.”

The City of Edinburgh Council was also asked for a response to allegations of “verbal and physical violence”, the removal of tools left out by maintenance staff, children “escaping” the premises, incidents of racism and bullying, and issues with the support of children with additional needs. It is yet to reply.

The school has also been contacted directly for comment.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers in Edinburgh are aware of a small number of incidents reported to police in the Wester Drylaw Avenue area over the past few months.

“We will continue to engage with our education partners to respond to any concerns that are raised, and will focus our attention as required.”

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