BBCThe head teacher of a primary school that was targeted in a number of sectarian attacks has welcomed an offer of a visit from First Minister John Swinney.
St Joseph’s Primary School in Busby, East Renfrewshire, was sprayed with offensive and discriminatory graffiti and there have been fires lit in children’s play areas over the last few weeks.
Head Suzanne Martin told BBC Scotland News some of the children were exposed to the graffiti and have had to be reassured that the school is still a safe place.
Swinney offered to visit the school after details of the attacks were raised in the Scottish Parliament by Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw.
“I’m absolutely delighted that the first minister would like to come to St Josephs,” Ms Martin said.
“We welcome any kind of support with regards to these incidents and I think the children have already started writing their questions out so I hope he’s ready for an onslaught of interesting questions when he comes.”
She said the whole school community had been shocked by the attacks.
“This isn’t something we would see in this area. As head teacher of St Josephs for the last seven years I’ve never come across it so it’s been quite upsetting, not just for our children, but our parents and local community.
“The children were exposed to it on Monday morning when they came to take part in their PE lessons in the multi-use games area.
“It has been distressing for them as they are not used to the phraseology that was used in the graffiti – they’re not in environments where they would be exposed to any kind of anti-Catholic language.
“For them things are very black and white, safe or unsafe, and when this happened they felt it was unsafe.”
Ms Martin said the games area was normally left open in the evenings and at weekends for the use of children in the community but the school has now had to lock it.
“This is not what we want – we want to promote exercise and healthy living,” she added.
Police have assured the school they will have extra patrols out and have urged anyone with information to contact them.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Carlaw said he had been “appalled” by “an unprecedented series of sectarian attacks” targeting the school, which is in his Eastwood constituency.
“The buildings were sprayed with offensive and sectarian discriminatory graffiti and the outdoor play area was set on fire,” he said.
“This past weekend, there was a further arson attack on a children’s area. The school community has been left stupefied and, naturally, distressed.”
Carlaw highlighted the fact that the school had received a glowing report from Education Scotland earlier this month for the “exemplary standard of education” it is providing.
He asked the first minister to show solidarity with the school community and make it clear that “here in Scotland, faith will not be used as a force for division but that, together, all faiths and those of none must work and come together in order to create the community in which we all want Scotland to live?”
In his response, Swinney said the school has been acknowledged by Education Scotland and His Majesty’s chief inspector of education to be outstanding.
He added: “The outside of the school has been targeted by utterly unacceptable behaviour, which never had any place in Scottish society and certainly does not have any place in Scottish society in 2025.
“Perhaps the best way through this is if Mr Carlaw and I visit St Joseph’s school. We could have a question-and-answer session to see how we both get on at the school in front of the pupils.
“The visit would be an indication of my warm appreciation of the strength of the school and what it does for the children of that community.”
‘Mindless vandalism’
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland’s Lunchtime Live programme, Carlaw said: “I was delighted at the spontaneous and very generous offer of the first minister to join me at the school in response to the events.
“The parent community are thrilled that the first minister is taking an active interest in this and that together we’re going to make clear that there is no place for sectarian or religious division in this community or anywhere in Scotland.”
He added: “We are a community with many faiths represented and have always lived and worked and played happily together so these incidents have really shocked people,” he said.
“I’m not sure what the motivation is but the graffiti was offensive and discriminatory in nature.
“We have a hugely diverse community – a growing Hindu community, a very valued Muslim community, Scotland’s largest Jewish community, a very large Catholic community, a large Protestant community and other communities as well.”
He added that interfaith working groups ensured relationships were “positive and harmonious”.
Carlaw told the programme the council had responded immediately by getting an anti-graffiti squad on site.
An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “It is extremely disappointing that this mindless vandalism has taken place.
“We’re pleased that it has been swiftly dealt with and cleared by our staff, and we’ll continue to work closely with police colleagues, our community wardens and the CCTV control room to tackle these types of issues, which are so upsetting and disheartening for the pupils, staff and wider school community.’
Ch Insp Gillian Faulds said: “We are investigating a number of recent incidents concerning damage at school premises in the Busby area.
“I’d like to reassure the public we’re doing everything we can to trace those responsible and have increased patrols as a deterrent and for community reassurance.
“We are also working closely with our partner agencies to explore all lines of investigation.”
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