A survivor of historical child abuse at Fettes College has called for an apology 50 years after enduring mistreatment at the Edinburgh boarding school. The demand was broadcast by Channel 4 News, highlighting the ongoing fallout from decades of systemic failures to protect children at the Scottish institution.
The call for accountability follows the January 2026 publication of findings by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry regarding the provision of residential care at Fettes College. The inquiry, chaired by Lady Smith, examined the school’s historical regime and gathered evidence of severe physical and sexual abuse inflicted upon pupils during the 1970s and beyond.
Former students testified about a culture of violence and complicity, where predatory staff members operated without intervention. A central figure in the allegations is former teacher Iain Wares, who transferred to Fettes College from Edinburgh Academy. Wares is currently located in South Africa and is facing extradition proceedings related to the abuse.
Fettes College addressed the historical abuse during the ongoing inquiry process. The school issued a public statement noting they “sincerely and unreservedly apologise” to the victims. The administration acknowledged that staff members involved in the abuse should have been dismissed and reported to the police immediately upon the first reports of misconduct.
The investigation into historical abuse at Scottish private schools has led to substantial civil settlements. Legal representatives for former pupils have secured multiple six-figure payouts for the trauma experienced at Fettes College. Thompsons Solicitors previously announced a £450,000 compensation award for a survivor abused at the school in the 1970s.
Survivors continue to advocate for full transparency and direct institutional acknowledgment of the cover-ups that protected abusers. The Channel 4 News broadcast underscores that victims are still actively campaigning for formal, individual apologies half a century after the events occurred.