A former teacher at Edinburgh Academy could be one of Scotland’s worst child abusers, according to a former pupil.
One of his victims said the teacher – who we have declined to name – may have molested and abused around 50 boys a year over a period of 30 years leaving a trail of at least 1,500 pupils.
The survivor – who suffered years of abuse including being beaten by a teacher with a gun sling – said they wanted to continue to raise awareness of the alleged historic abuse as the prestigious independent school prepared to commemorate the bicentennial of its founding next year with a series of high-profile events.
The school has been rocked by allegations of historic abuse after broadcaster Nicky Campbell joined other former pupils in demanding police arrest a former teacher accused of brutally assaulting them.
The survivor – who did not wish to be named – said: “This was a school that was a cesspit of violence and sexual abuse. It is hard to put a figure on the number of children who were damaged by that place.
“We estimate that one notorious teacher molested and abused around 50 boys a year over 30 years so that’s 1,500 pupils, possibly more.
“He could be a more prolific abuser than Jimmy Savile. I have been speaking to police about my experiences – which included being beaten with the sling from a gun.
“I can still see the abusers smirking as they battered and abused children. They smirked when they did these things. I can see that smirk now.”
The news comes after Campbell and his friends were at the centre of allegations against John Brownlee, now 88. They were told by police last week they now had evidence from around 80 alleged victims.
The men, in their 50s and 60s, have revealed a catalogue of sadistic abuse they say was carried out by Brownlee, who taught at the elite private school for 31 years, rising to be deputy head.
Brownlee, who was a housemaster for many years with responsibility for boys who boarded, is the subject of a police investigation but his victims want him charged before it’s too late.
Police have said they need more time to investigate. Former pupil Neil Douglas, 60, travelled from Edinburgh to Cape Town to confront another teacher Iain Wares, 83, as he appeared at a court hearing on Thursday.
Douglas wore a T-shirt with images of former pupils at Edinburgh Academy who claim they were molested by Wares in the 1960s and 1970s.
Wares, a retired maths teacher and rugby coach, appeared at Wynberg magistrates’ court, where he is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a boy at Rondebosch Boys’ Preparatory School in 1988.
He denies any wrongdoing. After the hearing, which was adjourned until June 6, Douglas approached the man who he claims molested him in 1972 and 1973.
Previously Wares had been referred to only as “Edgar” after the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry passed an order banning the identification of people who have been accused, but not convicted, of abuse.
Inquiry chairwoman Lady Smith ruled last month that he could be named weeks after newspapers disclosed his identity.
The survivor said: “Police Scotland have set up Operation Tree Frog looking specifically at Edinburgh Academy. Four full time officers are looking at historic abuse at Edinburgh Academy.
“Other survivors and I have no hatred or wish for vengeance and I am not fussed if these former teachers go to prison. This is about telling our stories. This is about comprehension and trying to understand why they did what they did.”
On its website, Edinburgh Academy said: “We are fast approaching a landmark anniversary – 200 years of delivering top-quality education.
“We will celebrate this incredible milestone with a series of Bicentennial Celebrations and events over the next few years.”
Police Scotland said: “This is an ongoing investigation in which we have a dedicated team carrying out enquiries.
“Due to the live nature of the investigation, we are not able to comment further.”
Edinburgh Academy said: “Like all right-minded people, we are appalled by such behaviour and deeply regret what happened at the Academy in the past. We have always fully supported the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry which allows former pupils, who have bravely come forward and relived traumatic experiences spanning decades, to have their voices heard and provide evidence.
“We will continue to respect that ongoing process.”
Edinburgh Academy to be focus of Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry this summer
The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) will focus on Edinburgh Academy when it resumes public hearings on boarding schools in late summer.
The inquiry has been investigating residential care provisions at boarding schools for a number of years and has looked at schools including Fettes College in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Academy will be the focus from August. BBC presenter Nicky Campbell has said he was abused as a pupil at the school and the inquiry team has urged others to get in touch.
Inquiry chairwoman Lady Smith said: “Since the beginning of public hearings examining boarding schools in March 2021, there has been an increase in applicants coming forward, including those who boarded at Edinburgh Academy and other witnesses.
“Their evidence includes information about Edinburgh Academy and allegations of abuse by former staff.
“It is normal for applicants to come forward during and after evidential hearings.
“Those hearings and the publicity surrounding them encourage them to get in touch. We would encourage anyone with information to get in touch with the inquiry’s witness support team as soon as possible.”
Campbell, 62, has spearheaded a campaign about alleged abuse at the school in the 1970s after revealing he was molested by teacher Hamish Dawson, now dead, and had witnessed abuse.
Seventeen former teachers and staff members at the prestigious school have been accused of molesting boys between 1953 and the early 1990s.
In July last year, he broke his silence to reveal he had experienced and witnessed abuse during his time at the school in the 1970s.
He said he saw teacher Iain Wares sexually assault a classmate in a rugby changing room when they were 10 years old, adding: “It is something that haunts me.” He also spoke of being assaulted by another unnamed teacher and of being groped by history teacher Dawson, who died in 2007.
The £64.6 million SCAI has investigated the background, administration and regulation of other boarding schools in Scotland and the experiences of boarders at some schools.
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