Emergency responders tackled a significant fire at Fernhill School in Rutherglen on the evening of 17 June, with six fire engines and specialist equipment deployed to the site at approximately 20:50. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) confirmed that no casualties were reported from the incident.
The school, which had operated since 1972, had ceased operations just hours before the fire broke out. The closure came after the institution faced serious difficulties, including an investigation into allegations of misconduct that prompted the early shutdown.
Why did the school close?
Fernhill School announced its intention to cease operations at the end of the academic term in February. However, the closure was accelerated by one day, with the school officially shutting its doors on 17 June rather than 18 June as originally scheduled. The decision to close early was made to "safeguard child welfare," according to the institution, and resulted in the cancellation of a planned end-of-term fun day.
The accelerated closure created significant difficulties for staff members, with some employees left unpaid at the time of shutdown. Additionally, liquidators were actively removing items and assets from the building during the final period of operation.
What regulatory issues did the school face?
The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) identified serious compliance failures at the institution. The regulator found that the school had failed to submit required accounts for several years, raising questions about financial transparency and governance. These regulatory breaches contributed to the circumstances surrounding the school's closure.
What happened to the school's assets?
Following the decision to close, accountancy firm WBG was appointed as provisional liquidator to manage the institution's affairs and oversee the disposal of assets. The liquidators were tasked with removing items from the premises during the final operational period, a process that was ongoing at the time of the fire.
The fire at the now-vacant building marked a significant development in what had already been a troubled period for the South Lanarkshire institution, which had served the local community for more than five decades before its closure.
Key Facts
- Six fire engines and specialist resources responded to the fire at Fernhill School in Rutherglen on 17 June at approximately 20:50
- The school closed one day ahead of schedule due to child welfare concerns and allegations of misconduct under investigation
- The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator found the school had failed to submit accounts for several years
- Staff members were left unpaid following the early closure, and liquidators were removing assets from the building
- Fernhill School had operated continuously since 1972 before its sudden closure
