Pupil attack claim inquiry plea

Mr Ross raised allegations about violence at the school

Claims that violence has spiralled at a Dundee primary school have led to calls for an independent inquiry.

The allegations from the husband of the school's deputy head are being strenuously denied by the city council.

Linda Ross was suspended after her husband made claims of pupil attacks on teachers at Sidlaw View.

Vic Ross claimed in a local newspaper that pupils kicked, bit and spat at teachers. He told BBC Scotland that his wife had been made a scapegoat.

Mr Ross said: "I'm very concerned, not only about the safety of my wife, but the safety of children, safety of staff, who face this on a daily basis.

'Seriously injured'

"Violence has increased since start of term. Violence report forms have been sent in to the authorities and have been ignored.

"Something has got to be done before someone is seriously injured or even killed."

He claimed that about 10% of the children at Sidlaw View, which has a roll of 178, are violent.

The council has launched an investigation into the allegations and said initial inquiries indicated some were untrue.

Dundee City Council are probing the claims at Sidlaw View

It said none of the allegations had been raised directly with the authority and the school and staff continued to do excellent work.

The local MSP Joe Fitzpatrick met with the council on Friday after the allegations began to circulate.

He said he was concerned by the claims but said they has to be treated cautiously.

"I have spoken to the director of education and representatives of the school and they are adamant that while some aspects of the story are true, many of them have been exaggerated and some are untrue," Mr Fitzpatrick said.

"Mr Ross is telling a very different story obviously, from what they are telling me."