Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry
 
Introduction
 
The boarding schools section of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) is nearing its conclusion. We have been profoundly saddened to hear the accounts of historic abuse from the independent schools involved, just as we were when cases of historic abuse within our own school came to light some years ago. Schools should always be safe environments, and we recognise that this was not always the case for some of our pupils. For this, we are genuinely sorry.
 
We take any disclosures of historic abuse very seriously. It is our practice to request that survivors refer all potentially criminal allegations of abuse, whether made against staff, pupils or third parties, to the police and relevant statutory agencies, in order that they can be fully and expertly investigated. The school is committed to co-operating fully with any criminal or civil process in relation to historic abuse claims.
 
The published case studies from the boarding schools section of the SCAI reinforce important lessons learned from the past and remind us that there is no room for complacency when it comes to looking after our pupils.
 
We welcome contact from our former pupils affected by historic abuse. We recognise that childhood experiences can have profound and long-lasting effects and are dedicated to learning from the past to strengthen our current safeguarding measures.
 
 
Support and Reporting
 
If you would like to contact the school regarding historic abuse, please use the following details:
Phone: 01259 742 511 (Ask for Ian Munro, Rector, or Graeme Morrison Chief Operating Officer)
Email: rector@dollaracademy.org.uk
 
Historic abuse can be reported to:
 
Police: Call 101 / Email: OperationTreefrog@scotland.police.uk

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry: Call 0800 0929 300 / Email talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot / Post PO BOX 24085, Edinburgh, EH7 9EA

We also acknowledge the importance of independent support. There is an active, caring, and confidential Support Group of former pupils who are available to listen, provide reassurance, and offer guidance to those who have experienced historic abuse at Dollar Academy. Dollarfpsupprt@gmail.com

In addition, we have created our own historic abuse policy in an endeavour to better support survivors.
 
 Commitment to Safeguarding
 
The lessons learned from the past reinforce our commitment to implementing the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection.
 
Child protection is central to everything we do as a school. We follow the national child protection guidelines and undergo regular inspections by the Care Inspectorate, which recently commended us for providing a ‘sector-leading’ standard of care in our boarding houses.
 
Our comprehensive child protection policies and procedures, developed in collaboration with leading external experts, are regularly reviewed to ensure they reflect the highest standards of best practice.