Edinburgh Academy pupils suffered decades of ‘dreadful abuse’

A recent report from the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) has revealed that pupils at Edinburgh Academy endured decades of severe sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Chaired by Lady Smith, the inquiry uncovered more than 40 years of abusive behavior at the private school, with evidence largely spanning from 1954 to 1995. The report criticizes the institution for prioritizing its reputation over the welfare of its students, repeatedly ignoring complaints and failing to acknowledge the ongoing risks.

Lady Smith emphasized that the school consistently refused to face the reality of the abuse. “It is clear it was assumed that abuse did not and would not take place,” she stated. Complaints were often dismissed or left unaddressed, with staff members deliberately avoiding investigation despite clear signs of mistreatment. The inquiry identified four main perpetrators, including individuals who later continued their offending in other schools. Among these were Hamish Dawson, a long-serving housemaster and teacher, and John Brownlee, also a housemaster and deputy head. Additionally, teacher Iain Wares, who abused pupils at other institutions and is currently awaiting extradition, and physics teacher William Bain, twice convicted of sexual offenses, were named.

Testimonies from former pupils further exposed the extent of the abuse. One individual, using the pseudonym Henry, described abuse as an everyday occurrence. He recounted how it was routine for young children to be groomed and physically harmed, including being kicked, hit, strangled, or subjected to corporal punishment without cause. Henry spoke of psychological cruelty, unchecked bullying, and a climate of blatant racism, sexism, and homophobia—all largely ignored by the school’s safeguarding systems. He concluded, “It was normal for there to be no pastoral care, and it was normal to be somewhere where nobody, not one person, loved or genuinely cared for you.”

The report also highlighted that the school’s leadership remained focused on maintaining its public image well into the 21st century, rather than addressing the realities faced by pupils. Remarkably, certain abusive behaviors, such as those of Hamish Dawson, were known and even glorified by the school community, with some of the disciplinary tools he used auctioned off upon his departure. Physical abuse was widespread until corporal punishment was banned in 1988, and following the introduction of co-education in the sixth form, female pupils were subjected to misogynistic treatment. The findings were welcomed by the Edinburgh Academy Survivors Group, which thanked Lady Smith for providing an accurate and thoughtful account of these harrowing experiences