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Grantown headteacher calls for more understanding for pupils during Covid pandemic


By Gavin Musgrove

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Grantown Grammar School headteacher Claire McGonigal in The Square in Grantown.
Grantown Grammar School headteacher Claire McGonigal in The Square in Grantown.

A Grantown headteacher has said her school is working with police following reports of weekend disturbances in the town by pupils, but pleaded with people to be more understanding of youngsters during the Covid crisis.

The complaints were mainly that large gatherings of young people were being noisy, raucous and intimidating in The Square and at Grantown Primary School from late Friday afternoon and for part of Saturday.

Claire McGonigal, Grantown Grammar School head, wants to strike a conciliatory tone, and has said the pandemic has been an incredibly tough time for youngsters.

She was moved to issue a community letter following the weekend to Grantown Community Council, local Highland councillors, local primary schools, and police as well as all parents. It has been shared on the school’s social media.

There has also been praise that youngsters have been meeting outside in small groups and not in homes which would be against Scottish Government rules at this time in the Highlands.

Mrs McGonigal said she is keen for the school to be a positive part of the community.

She confirmed: “I thought that it was important to let parents know that, mainly because there is nowhere else to go, young people were gathering in the town centre.

“I sent a letter home and shared it with community organisations to make sure we can work together to restore our community spirit through greater understanding and awareness of everyone’s needs.

“The police are working closely with the school and also parents to support and challenge the behaviour of a very small minority of young people when necessary without blaming the majority who are not at fault."

Linda Coe, Grantown Community Council chairwoman, welcomed the head teacher’s intervention.

She said: “I gather there was a small group which got rather rowdy – possibly fuelled by alcohol – and just made a dreadful nuisance of themselves.

“We can understand youngsters being bored, but some of them have been pushing at the boundaries for quite some time.”

Police Scotland Inspector Vince Tough confirmed officers had responded to complaints: “We attended a report of a group gathered on the High Street in the town on Friday evening, and extended patrols were carried out in the area.

“The group dispersed after engaging with officers and one individual was taken home.

“A small minority of young people do sometimes become involved in antisocial behaviour and police will take appropriate action where incidents are reported and any offences identified.”

Children aged 12 to 17 can currently meet up outdoors in groups of up to six and are not subject to the two-household limit.

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