Former Teacher Convicted for Historical Child Abuse at Angus Residential School
Physical Abuse
The conviction of 77-year-old retired teacher Patricia Robertson for the historical abuse of children at Fornethy House, a former residential school in Angus, stands as a harrowing reminder of the dangers that arise when safeguarding systems fail.
Between 1967 and 1983, Robertson subjected children to cruel and degrading treatment, including force-feeding, beatings, verbal humiliation, and psychological abuse.
Fornethy House, which operated under the then Glasgow Corporation, was intended to offer short-term respite for disadvantaged girls. Instead, it became a place of trauma and fear.
The affected children, many now adults, recounted disturbing experiences, being dragged by their hair, struck with rulers, denied warmth, and mocked for natural bodily functions.
The jury found Robertson guilty on 18 of 25 charges, marking an important moment of accountability after decades of silence.
Her conviction validates the voices of hundreds of women who have come forward, breaking a culture of secrecy that surrounded the institution for generations.
A Pattern of Institutional Failure
Fornethy House’s history reveals deep institutional negligence. Children were sent there under the guise of care, but the system lacked oversight, inspection, and adequate reporting mechanisms.
Many children who survived the abuse described not being educated or properly supervised, suggesting that the structure functioned more as a punitive regime than a supportive environment.
This failure reflects a broader historical problem across residential schools, where vulnerable children, especially those from low-income backgrounds, were often subjected to unchecked cruelty by adults entrusted with their well-being.
Protecting Children Starts with the Right People
This case reinforces the importance of rigorous safe recruitment and vetting within educational and residential settings.
Safe recruitment is not a bureaucratic formality; it is a lifesaving practice. Institutions must ensure that every adult who interacts with children undergoes:
- Comprehensive background checks and reference verification
- Ongoing safeguarding training and supervision
- Clear accountability structures and whistleblowing policies
Robertson’s long tenure without intervention underscores how unchecked authority and isolation can enable abuse to persist for years. Schools and care homes must therefore prioritize transparency, team-based oversight, and trauma-informed practice in all operations.
Lessons for Schools and Childcare Institutions
1. Embed Safeguarding into Culture, Not Policy Alone
Policies are only as effective as the people who uphold them. Every member of staff must understand their duty to protect children and recognize signs of distress or abuse.
2. Empower Children to Speak Up
Schools must create safe spaces and child-friendly reporting mechanisms where children can speak without fear of punishment or disbelief.
3. Trauma-Informed Education
Schools should integrate trauma awareness into their practices to help identify and support children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
4. Institutional Transparency
Local authorities and education boards should establish regular, independent audits of care centers, particularly those housing vulnerable or displaced children.
Justice, Healing, and Acknowledgment
The affected children’s collective statement highlights both pain and resilience: “As children, we were promised a summer of fun at Fornethy House, but all we found was fear.”
Their courage in coming forward after decades of silence marks a watershed moment. Their voices have transformed individual suffering into collective advocacy for justice.
This conviction is a step toward full accountability. But beyond legal measures, public acknowledgment and institutional apology are vital for emotional closure.
Call to Action
This case must not fade into history; it should become a catalyst for systemic reform. Governments, local councils, and educational institutions must:
- Strengthen child protection laws and background check systems
- Support children when they speak up
- Mandate regular safeguarding audits in schools and care facilities
- Foster partnerships between educators, social workers, and law enforcement to prevent abuse before it begins
Children’s rights to safety, dignity, and participation must be placed at the center of all educational and care policies.
