Published: Wednesday, 25th June, 2008 09:00
School report cover-up claims
By Ally McGilvray and David Knox
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COVER-UP claims have been made after officials cut out criticisms on an official report of the Galashiels headteacher who took her own life.
Irene Hogg had been in charge of Glendinning Primary School for 19 years prior to inspectors arriving in the week leading up to Easter.
And she is believed to have committed suicide just days after coming in for condemnation during a face-to-face verbal appraisal by the officials from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education.
Relatives, colleagues and friends of the 54-year-old hoped that the publication of this week’s official findings by HMIe would shed light on why the popular headteacher drove to a remote spot near Jedburgh and ended her life.
But officials removed the appraisal section on Miss Hogg in their published report yesterday (Tuesday).
And education chiefs at Scottish Borders Council are also remaining tight-lipped over the omissions from the long-awaited report.
A spokesman for HMIe told the Border Telegraph: “Out of respect for Miss Hogg no comments were made.
“In every other respect we have treated the report into Glendinning Primary the same as we would with every other primary school.”
Scottish Borders Council claim it would be inappropriate to comment in case the headteacher’s death is the subject of a Fatal Accident Inquiry.
In a prepared statement director of education Glenn Rodger, said: “I am pleased with the resilience staff and pupils have shown in coping with this tragedy and I am sure next session they will be ready to move on and build upon Miss Hogg’s legacy.”
But the reluctance to reveal what criticisms were made of Irene Hogg have angered many.
Her brother, Roger, told us: “I think it is dishonest to leave out the comments about Irene. It smacks to me of being a cover up.
“We can’t change what has happened to Irene but we can change they way these inspections are carried out and the stresses they inflict upon people.”
Mr Hogg appealed to HMIe bosses last month to include the remarks about his sister but the request was ignored.
And he is now pinning his hopes on a Fatal Accident Inquiry for the truth to be revealed.
He added: “There is a lot more to come out and an FAI may be the only way of that happening.”
A parent with children at Glendinning Primary School commented: “This report sounds like a whitewash to me.”
South of Scotland MSP Christine Grahame has echoed calls for an FAI to investigate the circumstances surrounding Irene Hogg’s death. She said: “The decision by HMIe to omit any comment on Miss Hogg leaves some very serious questions about the manner in which she was dealt with by HMIe during the inspection process at Glendinning Primary.”
But it may be several weeks before any decision regarding and FAI is made.
A Crown Office spokeswoman said: “Investigations by the Procurator Fiscal into this death are ongoing. No decision has yet been taken. The final decision is at the discretion of the Lord Advocate.”
Glendinning was inspected as part of a national sample of primary and nursery education.
Overall, the report claimed, expectations at the school were “not high enough”, and staff should continue to seek ways of improving pupils’ attendance – which was said to be below the national average.
It also described the curriculum and teaching practices as adequate – saying the strengths just outweigh weaknesses.
The report’s author, HM Inspector Jacqueline Horsburgh, states: “Tragically, the school's headteacher, Irene Hogg, died shortly after the inspection. She was held in high regard by staff, children and parents.
“Out of respect for Irene, no further comment on her role as headteacher is made in this report.”
A meeting took place between education officials and parents at the school last night.
editorial@bordertelegraph.com
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