Assistant Masters: James Rainy Brown
Born: 6 June 1937. Died: 29 April 2013, in Edinburgh, aged 75.
“After the suicide of a member of staff, James Rainy Brown, I was interviewed by the police for the whole of the next day. I had school lawyers with me and I told them that I wished to speak to the police about all of the challenges that I had faced in safeguarding and child protection. I gave the police everything. They had their correct procedures and they came back and demanded the audit trail. For every single one of the issues, we had an in-depth audit trail of what had been done but our audit trail needed more evidence of seeking external advice and/or the use of the disciplinary process We had this process and I worked on it with my bursar but it was not automatically instinctive for me to place someone immediately on the disciplinary process. I learned that.”—Andrew Hunter, SCAI Witness Statement (17 November 2020)
Secrecy row as teacher agrees to be struck off over sex with boys at residential school
A teacher at a £29,000 Scottish residential school has agreed to be struck off after having sex with pupils on the premises. But Scotland’s teaching watchdog has been criticised over the case after it agreed to keep the name of the teacher and school secret.
Top schools in abuse inquiry
Some of Scotland’s top private schools are being investigated by a national inquiry into child abuse. Gordonstoun–Prince Charles’s former school–and Fettes College, where Tony Blair was a pupil, feature in the statutory probe. Others include Merchiston Castle and Loretto, Scotland’s oldest boarding school. They are among more than 60 residential care establishments identiifed as sites of alleged child abuse or neglect.
Two top public schools attended by Prince Charles and Tony Blair are investigated as part of major inquiry into child abuse
Two top public schools attended by Prince Charles and Tony Blair are being investigated by a major national inquiry into child abuse. Gordonstoun, the alma mater of the heir to the throne, and Fettes College – where the former Labour Prime Minister was a pupil – both feature in the statutory probe. Other private schools under investigation include Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, Loretto School in Musselburgh and Morrison’s Academy in Crieff.
Police Scotland probe claims female teacher abused pupils at elite private school
Police are probing claims a former female teacher at a top private school in Edinburgh had inappropriate relationships with pupils. Merchiston Castle, which is already co-operating with an investigation into claims of historical abuse, contacted the single force over alleged behaviour that is said to have occurred more recently. Earlier this year, the Care Inspectorate “identified concerns about the quality of child protection practice” at the elite school.
Two ex-staff charged amid abuse probe at top private school
Two men in their sixties, believed to be ex-staff members, have been charged as a result of a police investigation relating to the exclusive Merchiston Castle school in Edinburgh. Based in Colinton in the south west of the city, Merchiston Castle is Scotland’s only all-boys independent boarding school.
Teacher found hanged left £1 million to school
A teacher who was found dead as police investigated claims of his “inappropriate conduct” towards pupils has left almost £1 million to his school in his will. James Rainy Brown, 75, who had worked for 52 years at fee-paying Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, hanged himself at his home shortly after being told of the investigation.
Obituary: James Rainy Brown, school master
Every so often in the life of a school there is a teacher who has the natural gift to inspire and influence the lives of its pupils over several generations. James Rainy Brown, or “JRB” as he was known to staff, pupils, parents and friends, was one of these rare and gifted schoolmasters.
James [Rainy] BROWN Obituary
RAINY BROWN James (Edinburgh) Suddenly, on April 29, 2013, at the age of 75 years, devoted Master at Merchiston Castle School. Funeral private at his request.
The Merchistonian Club: James Rainy Brown death notice
Merchiston Castle School was sad to learn of the tragic death of James Rainy Brown on Monday 29 April 2013. James devoted his life to Merchiston, as boy and man, and at this sad time our thoughts are with his close friends and family.
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