MoD-funded boarding school in Dunblane told to improve following significant concerns

A Scottish boarding school has been told to improve or face having its license revoked following significant concerns raised by care inspectors.

Queen Victoria School in Dunblane is set on a 45-acre estate and is for children of armed forces personnel in the UK.

With a capacity of up to 270 pupils aged ten to 18, it is the only school in the country directly funded by the Ministry of Defence.

However, following a recent inspection by the Care Inspectorate, the school faces an uncertain future unless it improves.

In a newly published improvement notice, inspectors said there were “significant concerns” associated with the care provided at the Queen Victoria School.

Concerns over student allergy management, accomodation and child protection procedures were flagged during the audit.

‘Distressing time for pupils, families and staff’

A Care Inspectorate spokesperson said: “An inspection has identified significant concerns about the quality of care experienced by pupils at Queen Victoria School in Dunblane.  

“We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for pupils, their families and staff at the service.   

“However, our first priority is always the health and wellbeing of people.   

“Because of our concerns we have issued an Improvement Notice.   

“This sets out the significant improvements that must be made within a specified timeframe.   

“We are in contact with and monitoring the service to follow up on the required improvements.”   

The improvement notice outlined four areas in which the school must focus.

Allergies, accomodation and child protection issues raised

By November 10, the school will need to improve staff training and understanding of students’ allergies and health conditions. The school must also introduce care plans and risk assessments.

By December 7, the school must implement child protection procedures in line with Scottish guidance, including staff training, comprehensive and prompt reporting of protection concerns and reporting staff misconduct to relevant authorities.

Also by December, school bosses must make sure better checks are in place for young people to feel safe and cared for.

This includes keeping staff training up to date, investigating past failures in which child protection procedures were breached, regularly checking care plans, and maintaining a clear record of complaints and their resolutions.

By January 25, the school must undertake an environmental safety review of the boarding school accommodation and take action to address any concerns over health and safety.

The school is also being asked to produce a written, detailed action plan for how they intend to address the accommodations condition.

If Queen Victoria School fails to meet the watchdog’s standards, it could face having its registration cancelled and being forced to close.

Ministry of Defence taking watchdog’s concerns ‘extremely seriously’

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “The safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils at Queen Victoria School is our highest priority.

“We take the Care Inspectorate’s findings extremely seriously and are working closely with them to address all the concerns raised.

“Action is being taken across Queen Victoria School, Defence Children Services and Defence Business Services to strengthen safeguarding arrangements, reporting processes, staff training and support for pupils.

“We will continue to work with the Care Inspectorate and other relevant agencies to ensure the required improvements are delivered and pupils are safe and properly supported.”